Systems and methods for handling and dispensing of items

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of product handling systems facilitate transfer of individual product items from incoming bulk form into dedicated trays for inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging. Inspection may comprise interrogation of product items within a tray by electromagnetic (e.g., optical, hyperspectral) or other (e.g., physical, acoustic, gas sensing, etc.) techniques. Prior to packaging, product items disposed within the tray may be stored in a moveable carousel responsible for controlling environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, illumination, ambient gases, product-to-product interactions, and/or others. Movement of product items from a carousel&#39;s transfer station to an outside staging position may be accomplished using robots and/or conveyor belts. Embodiments may allow rapid, low-cost consumer selection of specific individual product items based upon their accompanying metadata (e.g., source, identifier), in combination with the results of inspection (e.g., visual appearance). Embodiments may receive product items pre-packaged in tray format to expedite inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation application of U.S. appl. Ser. No. 16/189,673, filed on Nov. 13, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,543,942, which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 62/675,656, filed on May 23, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 62/589,409, filed on Nov. 21, 2017, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Efficient handling of many different types of items that exhibit a variety of shapes and/or sizes, can pose an increasingly complex technological challenge. For example, produce items alone offered by a conventional grocery store, may exhibit sizes ranging from that of a raisin to that of a watermelon. Moreover, the quality of such produce items can degrade over time, affecting their monetary value.

SUMMARY

Product handling systems according to embodiments facilitate transfer of individual product items from incoming bulk form into dedicated trays for subsequent inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging for consumption. Inspection may comprise interrogation of product items within a tray by electromagnetic (e.g., optical, hyperspectral) or other (e.g., physical, acoustic, gas sensing, etc.) techniques. Prior to packaging, product items disposed within the tray may be stored in a moveable carousel that is responsible for controlling environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, illumination, ambient gases, product-to-product interactions, and/or others. Movement of product items from a carousel's transfer station to an outside staging position may be accomplished using robots and/or conveyor belts. Embodiments may allow rapid, low-cost consumer selection of specific individual product items based upon their accompanying metadata (e.g., source, identifier), in combination with the results of inspection (e.g., visual appearance). Some embodiments may receive product items that are already pre-packaged in tray format in order to expedite inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging.

An embodiment of an apparatus comprises a frame translatable to a staging position in front of a carousel, and a fork supported by the frame and configured to extend in a direction toward the carousel to engage a tray holding an item. The apparatus further comprises a moveable member configured to project vertically into a first opening of the tray, contact the item at a first point, and to dispense the item from the tray in a direction away from the carousel, into packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified isometric view of a product handling system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1A is simplified side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a simplified plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is a simplified enlarged isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating six carousels.

FIG. 1D is another simplified plan view including a cut-away, of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is simplified perspective view illustrating a tray according to an embodiment. FIGS. 2A-2B show edge and plan views, respectively.

FIG. 3 is simplified plan view illustrating an embodiment of a tray having groove features configured to hold items.

FIG. 4 is simplified plan view graphically illustrating a product item disposed on a tray by a conveyor.

FIGS. 5A-D are various simplified views illustrating a carousel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a tray with product items disposed therein, interacting with a transfer mechanism. FIGS. 6A-B show plan and edge views, respectively.

FIGS. 7A-C are simplified side views illustrating operation of a transfer mechanism according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a simplified side view illustrating operation of a transfer mechanism featuring flaps according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified side view illustrating operation of a transfer mechanism according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a simplified flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram illustrating an embodiment of a product handling system according to an example.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a product handling system.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of one carousel bank of the system of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a bag approaching and halting in front of the carousel on the transport path.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of forks from the frame extending into the carousel and lifting a tray.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the frame showing the forks extended.

FIG. 17 shows an end view of the frame showing the fork extending underneath the edge of the tray loaded with products

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the frame prior to the extension of the forks.

FIGS. 19A-D show enlarged views of the front of the frame during the retrieval process.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the frame with the extended forks engaging the tray as part of the retrieval process.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a product conveyor which includes a slide.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a tray (here empty for illustration) lowering over the product conveyors.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of the product conveyors engaging to lift the products from the lowered tray.

FIGS. 24A-B show side views of the product conveyor in non-extended and extended positions, respectively.

FIG. 25 shows a side view of the extended product conveyor bearing products lifted from the tray.

FIG. 26 shows a front view of the item being moved off of the extended product conveyor into the bag.

FIGS. 27A-C are side views showing a sequence of disposing a product into a bag according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 28-28B show views of a first tray type according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 29-29B show views of a second tray type according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 shows a simplified view of an approach taking a series of optical images of a product (here a bunch of bananas) at different stage of its freshness lifetime.

FIG. 31 is a histogram of saturation data.

FIG. 32 shows a simplified flow diagram illustrating a machine learning process.

FIG. 33 shows a simplified diagram illustrating the implementation of artificial intelligence principles to product handling according to embodiments.

FIGS. 34A-B show NIR images, and FIGS. 34C-D show RGB images, resulting from camera inspection.

FIG. 35 shows a simplified spectrograph.

FIGS. 36A-B show perspective views of a single conveyor having a linkage that can be angled from flat over a range of angles.

FIGS. 37A-F show simplified views of pivoting belt conveyor flows.

FIGS. 38A-D show various views of an embodiment of a simple convey with multiple cameras approach.

FIGS. 39A-B show different views of an approach imaging items in free fall.

FIG. 40 shows a side view of a star wheel conveyor according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 40A-C show simplified views illustrating that spheres and cylinders can be rotated as the conveyor belt runs. FIGS. 40D-F show simplified views of the flipping of cuboid items when going through the system.

FIG. 41A shows a top view, and FIGS. 41B-C show end views, of a popup roller conveyor.

FIG. 42A shows a top view, and FIGS. 42B-C show perspective end views of an embodiment of a roller and spinner conveyor mechanism.

FIGS. 43A-B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of a pop through conveyor mechanism that may be utilized to position items on a tray.

FIGS. 44A and 44B show simplified top and side views respectively of a XYZ gantry mechanism according to an embodiment that may be utilized to position items on a tray.

FIG. 45A shows a side view, and FIGS. 45B-C show top views, illustrating a vertical stack buffer system according to an embodiment that may be utilized to position items on a tray.

FIG. 46 shows a simplified perspective view of a carousel front according to an embodiment.

FIG. 46A illustrates a perspective view of one possible embodiment of a carrier.

FIG. 46B illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier.

FIG. 46C shows a simplified front view of a carrier.

FIG. 46D shows carriers having a different number of levels, and per-level pitches.

FIG. 47 shows a perspective view of a front side of a carousel embodiment having a dispensing station attached thereto.

FIG. 48A shows an enlarged view of a tail on a conveyor. FIG. 48B shows a simplified perspective view of the pop-through conveyor of the dispense station, poised to dispense item(s) from a particular tray row.

FIG. 49A shows a side view of a pop-up conveyor mechanism including an optical sensor for dispensed item detection. FIG. 49B shows an enlarged view of the optical sensor in the pop-up conveyor.

FIG. 50 shows a perspective view of a dispense station configured with load cells.

FIG. 51A shows a tray arriving at the carousel. FIG. 51B shows the tray loaded into the carousel.

FIG. 51C shows a simplified view illustrating the use of indexing pins.

FIG. 52A illustrates a simplified side view of an end effector design according to one embodiment. FIGS. 52B-C show alternative embodiments.

FIGS. 53A-B show different views of embodiments of a carrier design.

FIGS. 54A-B show perspective views of embodiments of a traveler.

FIGS. 55A-B show views of a traveler embodiment incorporating load cells.

FIGS. 56A-B show top perspective, and enlarged views respectively, of a traveler including a frame.

FIGS. 57A-B shows different embodiments of travelers.

FIGS. 58A-B show simplified views of a plunger and grommet, and traveler embodiment incorporating same.

FIGS. 59A-C show simplified views of a hinged lid.

FIGS. 60A-B are perspective views of a traveler with the lid open and closed, respectively.

FIGS. 61A-B are perspective views of different battery pack embodiments.

FIG. 62 shows conveyors that can stop at a specific stage, in order to receive items dispensed from a given carousel.

FIG. 63A shows an end view of a tray that is configured to hold circular items.

FIG. 63B shows an end view of a tray configured to hold cuboid items.

FIG. 64 shows a top view of a tray according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 65A-B show perspective views of multiple tray types that may be assembled from a plurality of parts.

FIGS. 66A-B are enlarged tray views showing multiple types of support beams.

FIGS. 67A-B are enlarged views showing tray features formed from multiple molds.

FIG. 68 shows a simplified view of a gantry robot according to an embodiment.

FIG. 69 is a simplified flow diagram summarizing process control according to an embodiment.

FIG. 70 shows a simplified view of food item categories organized into a tree hierarchy for searching.

FIG. 71 shows an embodiment of a computer system utilized to implement item handling.

FIG. 71A illustrates basic subsystems in the computer system of FIG. 71.

FIGS. 72A-B show views of different traveler embodiments featuring a drive system.

FIGS. 73A-B show embodiments of tracked and wheeled travelers, respectively, featuring multiple bags added to a single drive unit.

FIGS. 74A-B show embodiments of tracked and wheeled travelers, respectively, carrying a tray.

FIGS. 75A-C show respective front, front perspective, and side perspective views of a wheeled tray traveler robot.

FIG. 76 is a simplified block diagram showing an overview of a system according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 77A-E show various views of a design for an inspection station.

FIGS. 78A-C show various views of a carrier design.

FIGS. 79A-B show various views of a foam attachment approach.

FIGS. 80A-B show various views of an embodiment of a dispensing approach.

FIGS. 81A-C show various views of an embodiment of a dispensing approach.

FIG. 82 shows a side view illustrating an embodiment of a dispensing approach.

FIG. 83 shows a top view illustrating an embodiment of a dispensing approach

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified isometric view of a product handling system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A is simplified side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In particular, product handling system 100 comprises an initial sorting, inspecting and tray loading areas 102 that are configured to receive bulk items. This input region 102 is in turn in communication with tray conveyor network 104.

In this particular embodiment, the tray conveyor network is located above a second customer conveyor network 106. However, this is not required and the relative vertical locations of the first and second conveyor networks could be reversed, or in accordance with still further alternative embodiments, the two (tray, customer) conveyor networks could be positioned at a same vertical level. According to yet other embodiments, the separate customer conveyor network that delivers packages for output, can be located on an opposing side as the incoming tray conveyor network.

Trays are fed along the tray conveyor to the input area from a tray buffer 108. The tray buffer in turn receives the trays from a tray washer station 110 that functions to sanitize the trays once they have completed their previous product handling activities.

As further shown in FIG. 1, once product items are disposed onto the trays, the trays move along the tray conveyor belt from the input region to the carousels 112. There, the trays are loaded (e.g., by a robot and/or conveyor 113) into the carousels for storage under controlled conditions.

As previously mentioned, the product handling system of FIG. 1 further comprises a second, customer conveyor network 106 that is located at a lower level relative to the upper, tray conveyor network. This particular embodiment shows the customer conveyor network 106 as a double lane configuration.

For particular embodiments utilizing conveyor belts, those conveyor belts may cause fixed separation between transported trays and/or packaged product items. The belts may be imaged to determine cleaning needs. A conveyor belt may be configured to lift layer-by-layer, and may feature grooves and or duster-like lifters. Certain embodiments may provide a human-assisted station sharing a conveyor with robot lifters.

Via the customer conveyor network, the customer packaging deployment tool 114 provides empty product packaging (e.g., a bag or box) to the customer packaging loading station 118 that is proximate to the carousel. There, individual product items are loaded from the tray into the product packaging, and transported via the customer conveyor network to a shipping dock 120 and thence to the customer in packaged form.

FIG. 1B is a simplified plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 1B shows an incoming pallet 122 of individual product items 124 (e.g., apples) in bulk form. Each individual product item is inspected 125 and then disposed in a known location on a tray 126. As shown at 128, the tray will be moved by the tray conveyor network to the appropriate carousel and be placed into storage with the product items disposed thereon.

FIG. 1C is a simplified enlarged isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating six carousels 112. The enlarged view of FIG. 1C also shows an aisle conveyor 119 linking successive carousels, as is discussed further below.

FIG. 1D is another simplified plan view including a cut-away, of the embodiment of FIG. 1B. When an item from the tray is selected by a customer, the tray will exit the carousel. In this particular view the tray of FIG. 1D is shown exiting a different carousel than in FIG. 1B, to which it may have been transported during an intermediate stage via the tray conveyor network.

The unloading equipment 130 will remove from the tray, the particular item that has been requested by the customer. The tray will return back into the carousel until called again or empty.

Once the order is fulfilled, the customer conveyor network will transport 131 the selected product item 124 together with the customer packaging 131 to the shipping or distribution area.

It is noted that is some embodiments, the conveyor belts transporting the customer package, may also move a passive or active device adjacent to some or all of the packages. That device may assist the placement of the items into the bag or box.

An example of a passive device could have spring loaded ‘landing pads’ or an active height controlled ‘scoop’. With the latter, the items land into the scoop (which can change height, and then drop into a package). Another example of an active device could be a robot. The devices (which may also have cameras) can be powered through the conveyor belt (wired or induction) or be battery powered.

While the above description has indicated the loading of incoming product items onto trays, this is not required by all embodiments. According to alternative embodiments, items incoming to the product handling system may arrive already disposed onto a tray.

An example could arise for standard items (e.g., boxes of cereal). There, each cereal box product item could be associated with data such as an expiration date (and potentially an individual serial number).

Trays could arrive pre-loaded with non-standard items (e.g., produce, individually cut deli/cheese/meat . . . , others), and already be associated with individual product item data such as images or other sensor data. The incoming tray may also include a mechanism for measuring and storing environmental conditions since packing into the tray took place.

Such post-tray packing environmental conditions can include temperature and vibrations/impact (e.g., via a G meter). Thus a system according to an embodiment would receive the pre-packed tray for handling, as well as data associated with that particular tray.

According to certain embodiments, product handling systems may also be used to break down packages comprising one product each, into other packages having specific mixtures of product items. In such a ‘break pack’ implementation, a distribution center breaks incoming packages of one item type (e.g., typically from the factory) into mixed packages intended for the neighborhood grocery store to replenish what has been consumed (e.g., 3 boxes of cereal A, 6 tuna cans, 3 salt shakers, etc.)

It is further noted that temporal factors (e.g., delivery urgency) may impact the manner in which individual product items are dispensed from the carousel into packaging. Thus where necessitated by a delivery deadline, under a ‘split bag’ mode of operation a product handling system could utilize more than one customer package to fulfill a customer order. There, the more urgently needed item(s) would dispensed into packaging first, followed by less urgent items being dispensed and shipped in a different package.

Product handling systems according to embodiments could also pre-calculate and store estimates regarding time of order fulfillment. Such expected fulfillment data could be referenced by the system in deciding whether or not to resort to the split-bag mode in order to meet an urgent order.

An exemplary sequence of actions that may be performed by a product handling system according to an embodiment, is now described in connection with the flow diagram 1000 of FIG. 10. First, at 1002 the incoming material in bulk form is received for transfer into the trays if necessary.

The transfer of product material into the trays can be automatic or performed manually. In the case of automatic transfer into dedicated trays, products are placed or dumped by a human or mechanical tool, or picked by a robot onto a conveyor.

At 1004, the conveyor will sort the individual product items in an ordered fashion for inspection. During an inspection process 1005, the individual product items are imaged/inspected, and the images/data are associated with each item (e.g., as metadata).

After inspection, the system will load 1006 each product onto trays and transport the trays to the storage area (e.g., carousel). In some cases, the items are sorted in the Trays based on certain criteria (e.g. different size, quality or ripeness in different Columns)

Once transferred to a known location on the tray, at 1008 that information will be maintained at least until the item has been placed in packaging for delivery. All or some of the data and metadata may be stored for longer to permit learning once feedback from a customer or other entity is obtained on the items.

At 1010, the Trays are loaded into carousels. The trays may be loaded manually or automatically. The trays may be loaded through the same door from the product items are later dispensed, or (as in the illustrated examples) through a separate door or level. In one possible alternative, the trays remain within the carousels and the items are loaded individually. Alternatively, the trays are loaded onto other trays next to a carousel and placed in the carousel manually.

At 1012, when an item is selected by a customer and needs to be dispensed into packaging, the carousel may bring the tray to the dispensing door. There, the tray may be moved to the staging position from which individual items will be dispensed. The tray may be moved by a conveying element within the carousel, or by an external lifting mechanism (e.g., belt or robot). Alternatively, the individual product items could be dispensed from the tray while the tray remains within the Carousel.

From the staging position, at 1014 items are dispensed from the trays into packages (e.g., delivery, inner, or transient) which are moving along an aisle conveyor. Alternatively, the packages may be moved by an independent motion vehicle/robot.

The aisle conveyor is positioned to support one or more parallel rows of carousels along its direction of travel. The aisle conveyor carries the various packages and potentially the inbound trays (e.g., with product items) and outbound trays (empty, expired, or otherwise pulled out of the system).

The packages may be moving continuously or indexing and stopping near the staging positions. The packages may stop at every staging position along their aisle or as needed. The packages may step at fixed intervals or as needed.

Packages may be placed into an aisle conveyor in coordination with placed orders and the expected availability of items for conveying from staging positions along the aisle. Alternatively, transient packages are places at fixed intervals.

Specific packages (e.g., including specific inserts if needed) may be placed in the aisle conveyor for specific orders. If the exact number of packages needed per order is not accurately known in advance (e.g. a certain order may not fit in one package) than extra ‘buffer’ packages can be placed in the aisle conveyor every several packages.

A package may travel on more than one aisle conveyor to collect the needed items for a particular order. Alternatively, the delivery package may travel on one or more aisles and either/or transient packages or internal packages will travel down one or more other aisles.

In this case the items may be merged into one or more delivery packages manually or automatically. Additional items deemed too large or fragile for automation could also be manually added to the shipment at the end of the aisle conveyor.

As described herein, robots may be used in one or more stages of the product handling sequence. Examples of product handling activities that can be performed by a robot can include but are not limited to:

manipulating individual product items for inspection/imaging;

loading individual product items from bulk form onto known locations on trays;

moving trays into/out of carousels;

dispensing individual product items from known tray locations into packaging.

There can be one or more robots per location in the product handling system. Robots could be optimized in terms of weight and grip to the specific product items and/or system components (e.g., trays). One robot can have several grippers, switch grippers, or each of the robots can have a different gripper.

The robots may reference various pieces of information to grab a product item. Examples of such information may pertain to tray layout, images taken on the main or side-conveyor before, and/or dedicated images taken proximate to the robot (or on the robot's arm).

Robots can be of various types, including but not limited to cartesian, Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA), cylindrical, delta, polar or a 4- or 6-axis articulated robot. Robot grippers can use pressure by rigid or flexible fingers, vacuum/suction, magnetic, electrostatic lifting, leaky vacuum (e.g., Bernoulli lifters), or a combination thereof.

A robot may use features within the trays in order to allow the lifting of product items, especially delicate/damageable items. In certain embodiments these can be rake/dustbin like, grabbing items which have been pin-lifted (e.g., from below with a potential balancing/locking ‘thumb from above).

Packaging can pause adjacent to carousels or can have a parking area for one or more (e.g., three) customer packages. Multiple packages outside of a carousel may all be reached by the robot, or they may need to move to a specific parking position for the robot to reach.

Owing to its intimate relationship with the product being handled, the tray component forms one component of a product handling system. According to certain embodiments a tray may be wider than it is tall.

In some embodiments, a tray may comprise a formed sheet of plastic or metal, that holds individual items or containers of items, in a controlled order while the tray moves through the system.

Product items may be disposed on the tray loose (e.g., an individual apple). Alternatively, product items may be contained within a box (e.g., a box of tomatoes).

A tray may receive one type of item as a standard, but may also receive more than one variety. This may occur for a low consumption items. A tray may receive a subcategory of an item (e.g., oranges between 3 and 4 Ounce Vs oranges 4 and above.)

Some product items may be partially packaged. Examples include parsley tied with a rubber band, bunches of bananas, etc.

Product items may be individually labeled, for example with bar codes and/or RFID tags. The tray itself could have a bar code, RFID tag, or some other marking to permit tracking if needed.

Product items within the trays may be arranged in rows and columns. Rows may be oriented parallel to the edge of the tray from which they are unloaded. Columns may be separated by barriers to allow product items to arrange within the columns utilizing grooves or other shaped features.

Specific embodiments may sort the items such that each bin is within a different Column. Here, bin may represent the quality, size, appearance, or a different product type.

Trays may be open, or have an opening wall at one or two of the edges parallel to the rows. Alternatively, trays may be closed on all sides.

Trays may have openings, grooves, holes, or other features to allow lifting and/or movement of the product items from below. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a tray according to an embodiment. FIGS. 2A-2B show edge and plan views, respectively, of a tray embodiment. The tray 200 includes grooves 202 and slots 204.

Certain tray features may hold a particular type of product or a certain variety (e.g., stone-fruit of a given size range, oval shape, loose-leaf, etc.) FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of a tray having groove features configured to hold stone-fruit 300 items.

Trays exhibiting different features may be employed to effectively handle various product types. Trays may maintain product items at a known location that will not change during transportation.

Trays may be designed with sufficient spacing and other features to permit tasks such as imaging, scanning, sensing, and/or lifting. Trays may exhibit features to allow removing the tray for packaging, or removing the tray from the product handing system.

Embodiments of product handling systems may inspect the trays for cleanliness and integrity. Trays can be single or multi-use.

Some tray embodiments may feature a multi-use part covered by a single-use layer. Such a single-use layer may comprise paper, plastic, cardboard, or other materials.

Embodiments of product handling system may include mechanisms for cleaning the trays after some or all the product items have been removed. Cleaning can include washing, brushing, electrostatic discharge, UV, steaming, or other disinfecting techniques.

For purposes of imaging, product items that are to be transferred to trays, may be loaded into transfer conveyor belts. Such conveyor belts may have imaging and/or other sensing stations.

Examples of imaging techniques that may be employed can include but are not limited to:

multispectral imaging

hyperspectral imaging

acoustic or acousto-optic sensing

optical spectrometers

3-dimensional imaging

UV imaging

visible imaging

infra-red (IR) imaging

mass spectrometry

x-ray imaging.

Examples of sensing technology that involve other than electro-magnetic imaging can include but are not limited to:

chemical sensing (e.g., smell sensing technology); and

physical sensing (e.g., spring loaded firmness gauges or weighing—of either individual items or trays).

All items, or a sampling thereof may be imaged and/or sensed. The product items can be imaged or sensed individually, or collectively or in sub-groups.

Weight can be estimated from produce size and/or from produce size relative to other produce in the tray when the total weight of the items in the tray is known.

Weight can be determined if the item is lifted by a robot. That weight can be used to improve the estimation.

The imaging and/or sensing may occur while the product items are located on a transfer conveyor belt, are grabbed by a robotic arm, or as the product items are rolling or dropping before being disposed on a tray.

A transfer conveyor may be optically transparent to permit imaging of product items from multiple sides and/or accessible angles. However, items can also be grabbed and lifted for inspection, imaging, or sensing, or simply raised such as via cushioned pins projecting though holes in the conveyor belt and/or tray.

Additionally, secondary imaging/inspection can occur during storage, or prior to dispensing a product into a package. Such imaging/inspection can be used as a final go-no go verification step after the attributes of the product item have been determined from previous imaging.

Other sensors and/or imagers may be used to confirm the successful transfer of trays, items, and packages.

As described below in detail below, the product handing system may comprise the trays utilized in conjunction with carousel elements. One or more sensors or cameras may be installed within the carousel.

Such carousel sensors/cameras could image some or all of the items as the carousel rotates (e.g., a part of regular motion or to specifically allow imaging). Several images could be taken during the motion to permit viewing from different perspectives, and even optionally 3-D reconstruction of the product.

Some embodiments could install cameras at the top of the carousel to afford a view of the top tray. The cameras can be positioned on top in the front and in the rear in order to ‘triangulate’ an image.

Items can be imaged once upon entering, periodically (such as every day, using the off-hours for example) or based upon other rules. Items can be imaged from the top while supported in the trays, and then flipped over individually or as a whole tray to be imaged from the other side, or otherwise manipulated to rotate so they can be imaged from the other side.

The imaging can take place on the main conveyor belt, and/or on the side conveyors, and/or at the storage cabinets, and/or at the parking spots before a robot manipulates the item.

A block may represent a plurality of trays. A given block may contain a set of items (e.g., all fruit and vegetables, all dairy, etc.) and is expected to hold many (e.g., tens, hundreds, or even thousands) of unique items.

A block may contain all or some of the items for sale. The block may hold several trays of frequently accessed product items in order to ensure rapid supply. Conversely, a block may have partial trays or even none of rarely-accessed items that will instead be loaded upon demand.

The conveyor belt may lead to a set of modules that may be situated orthogonally on one or both sides of the conveyor belt. The modules may be dedicated for a specific variety of items (like fruit versus vegetables, packaged product items versus loose product items, etc.). Specific trays can be moved to side conveyors of individual modules as they pass by on the conveyor.

According to embodiments, a loading mechanism may be employed to move product items to and/or from the trays. In particular, once product items have been inspected (e.g., by imaging and/or sensing), they are sorted onto trays.

One method to accomplish this sorting is to move the items along conveyor belts. The trays (e.g., with slots) can be positioned above a lifting conveyor. The lifting conveyor will lift through the tray and thereby allow the product items to be conveyed over the tray.

Once in place, the conveyors will move down and the items will rest on the tray. This is depicted graphically in the plan view of FIG. 4, where the product item 400 is disposed on the tray by the conveyor 402. The tray can then move on to storage (e.g., in a carousel).

Various stations could be used to match the variety of the items. Alternatively, an automatically adjustable conveyor could accommodate all or many of the possible varieties of product items.

In certain embodiments, trays having product items already disposed therein, will be loaded into carousel elements. According to an alternative approach, product items may be loaded into the trays that are already in the carousel.

FIGS. 5A-D show different views of one example of a carousel 500 according to an embodiment.

The carousels may be oriented in a horizontal direction, containing several tens of trays. The carousels may exhibit the ability to bring individual trays to the transfer station 502, from which they can be moved onto the staging position 504 (FIG. 5C).

The carousels may operate in a continuously indexing manner, bringing following trays to an offload station. Alternatively, the carousel may call trays in turn as needed.

Each carousel may operate with its own specific controlled environmental conditions. Examples of such conditions can include but are not limited to:

temperature,

humidity,

specific gases (e.g., ozone)

illumination

product-to-product proximity and interactions

mold growth.

According to embodiments, a carousel may have an opening (e.g., slit) for loading and unloading. The opening could be parentally open, an actively actuated gate, opened/closed by the motion of the tray, or closed with a material permitting tray motion (e.g., a plastic sheet).

Carousels may be designed to allow placement of trays with different spacings. This can permit handling of product items exhibiting different sizes (e.g., heights).

Alternatively, trays may be designed with fixed spacing. A control program may dictate which slot is appropriate for each tray height. A single carousel (one motor) could turn one or more columns of Trays.

Carousels may be designed with belt in cameras and sensors to continue to monitor the products as they age. One specific design could have the cameras or other sensors located at the top of the carousel path, inspecting the products in the tray passes past the top.

Additionally, there could be reject mechanisms built into the carousels to allow items to be automatically removed from the system. One design could employ lifting conveyors at the bottom of the carousel path. These conveyors are able to lift up and remove an item from the tray as needed.

Trays can be removed from the carousel manually or automatically. In automatic embodiments, the tray can be transported out by a walking beam, a walking beam conveyor, or a conveyor or rollers built into the carousel itself.

For walking beam embodiments, the carousel could stop with the appropriate tray in front of the dispense door. One or more beams would move into the carousel, lift the tray up and pull it out of the door and down onto a conveyor belt or rollers.

For the case where the conveyor is built into the carousel, each row of the carousel could have its own set of belts or rollers actuated to remove the tray. Each row could have its own motor, or a single motor may engage with the conveyors at the dispensing door.

Once located at a staging position, the tray will be in proximity to the aisle conveyor. This will allow items to be transferred from the tray at the staging position to the packages.

Referring now to FIG. 6, conveyor belts 602 can rise up through openings 604 in the tray 606. Product items 608 may be moved along a conveyor into a position 610 from which they will be transferred 611 to the package, or into a separate transfer mechanism that will move the product items to the package.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a tray with product items disposed therein, interacting with a transfer mechanism 600. FIGS. 6A-B show plan and edge views, respectively.

The product items may also be pushed, lifted, or dragged from the tray to that position for packaging. Product items could also be individually picked by a robot and an End of Arm Attachment (EOAT) specially designed for secure engagement.

Once the product item or items have been removed from the tray, the tray will be conveyed back into the Carousel to store the remaining items.

Details regarding a transfer mechanism for moving the product items apart from the tray according to embodiments, are now discussed. Specifically, once an item is out of a tray, it can be moved to the packaging by multiple methods.

One method is to have a robot pick up the item and place it into the packaging. Here, there may be specific EOATs for various classes and sizes of products. Some EOATs may have suction cups, others may have grippers, still others may shovel items up.

An alternative method is to have the product items fall off of the end of a conveyor into a receptacle such as a rigid box or flexible bag, which may or may not have padding to break the fall. FIG. 9 shows an example of such an embodiment featuring receptacle 900.

The item could fall onto a spring-loaded slide or flap that drops down into the bag or box to soften the landing. The bag or box could be actuated to lift the box up to the edge of the conveyor. The box could also be constructed in a manner that the one more sides of the bag or box temporarily collapse to allow items to be brought into them.

A third possible approach is to employ a vertical conveyor whose belt has large flaps to hold the product item. FIG. 8 shows a side view of such an embodiment which includes flaps 800.

The conveyor would lower into the bag or box, or the bag or box could rise up around the conveyor. The conveyor could be actuated in a manner to select the location to drop the item in the box or bag.

A fourth approach is to have the item move above the package on a conveyor. Once in position, the conveyor pivots down like a trap door. FIGS. 7A-C are side views showing the operation of one such embodiment.

The conveyors could lower down into the bag, controlling the decent of the item until it is beyond the reach of the conveyor. The belts could be made of a thick foam that helps capture the items on the way down. There could be two or more belts on each side with various spacing that can process various sized items. Each station could be designed for a certain shape, weight or volume. Or, one design could be actuated in a way that the location of each belt is movable to handle item variety.

A fifth method is to push or pull the product items from the back of the column or row of the tray. This could be accomplished from above via a mechanical gantry system, from below via an actuator through a slot, or utilizing a robotic arm.

A sixth possible method is to convey the product items through a hole with a stack of mesh or plastic rolled onto it. As the items are pushed through, the bag will roll forward until full and then be terminated and closed.

Certain embodiments could feature one transfer mechanism per tray. Other embodiments could feature one transfer mechanism per column or row of the tray.

There could be one or more transfer mechanisms per carousel. The transfer mechanism may be actuated in such a manner as to move between positions. Alternatively, the individual product items could be lifted onto conveyors at the staging position and then conveyed to one or more fixed transfer mechanisms.

Embodiments of product handling systems may permit customer selection of specific items. In some cases, e.g., produce or other non-uniform products (meat, deli cheese, etc.,) the consumer may be offered the ability to choose from a number of specific items.

According to such embodiments, images or other (e.g., sensing) data provided to customer, may allow him or her to successfully execute the product selection. The specific item may be reserved for a certain amount of time allowing the selection. Once selected by the customer, the specific item will be vended from the carousel.

Certain embodiments may allow dispensing only from the front row (e.g., closest to the package). There, customer selection may be limited to the front row, and/or selection of sequential items in the same column will be possible.

In alternative embodiments, a series of conveyors could move some items out of a column or row, so that an interior item can be vended to the customer. Then, the conveyors could move the remaining items back into the tray for return to storage.

Embodiments could offer the customer multiple qualities for evaluating when selecting their item. The customer could evaluate color pictures of the item from multiple angles. The customer could also be offered hyperspectral images.

A system according to embodiments could show a customer a rating that signifies the firmness of the item. The rating could be on a scale showing maximum firmness for similar items. For example, the firmest pear (right off a tree) could be rated with a value of 10, while a pear on the day of expiration could be rated a value of 0.

The scale could be adjusted based on the season of the item. For example, off-season produce might have a narrower range of possible ratings.

Similarly, a rating scale could be shown for various characteristics of product items. Examples can include but are not limited to:

sugar content in fruit

the ripeness of certain items like bananas or avocados

an overall rating that shows our compiled assessment of the overall quality of the item. The rating scale could be any set of numbers or an A, B, C, D, F scale or similar.

Product handling systems according to embodiments may include merging and/or shipping areas. At the end of the aisle conveyors, other conveyor systems (or product moving mechanisms) may transfer packages either to other aisles or to a shipping area.

Multiple packages can be merged into one or more delivery packages. For embodiments featuring transient packages, individual items may be lifted or otherwise transferred (such as poured) into delivery packages.

Product handling systems may feature a buffer station where packages are waiting. This waiting may be for other Packages in the same shipment, or for other reasons.

The nature of delivery packages according to embodiments, are now described. Delivery packages can be bags, simple boxes, or boxes having spacers inside.

One packaging option is for single layer stackable boxes. Another option is to have boxes with several heights, with the box ultimately used determined by the largest item it is designated to hold.

A box height could be a designed to have 1 or more layer, with a packaging material for contact with fragile items, and remaining layers for regular items. Packaging for a fragile layer could have a formed plastic or cardboard insert sized to fit various types of items (e.g., round, oblong, flat, etc.)

Packaging may be single use from recyclable material, and may be recycled. Packaging could also be designed to be returnable from the customer.

Transient packages can be individual bags or boxes with items collected into a larger box. Transient packages can be a large tray on which items in an order are placed for transport to the packing area.

Several delivery packages can be collected for one customer order. This can, for example, be by employing vertical stacking or nylon wrapping or other technique.

Embodiments may employ techniques for controlling the queuing and/or timing of product movement through the product handling system. Particular embodiments may use information from orders received, as well as from orders that are expected. The latter may be accomplished through machine learning techniques that are keyed off of past behavior.

One example of product movement that may be coordinated, is to send packages into aisle conveyors. This package sending may be for delivery, internal movement only, or for transient packages.

Another example of product movement that may be coordinated according to embodiments, is to bring trays to an unload position from the carousels and to the staging position. This movement may need to be done in time to preempt the loading of specific items into the packages.

Still another example of product movement that may be coordinated is action to bring trays, transient packages, or customer pack boxes to the robot loading area. The activity of the conveyors, carousels, and loading mechanisms may be coordinated in order to maximize system throughput and minimize time from receipt of the order to packaging.

Embodiments of product handing systems may function to optimize location of items on trays, and the location of trays in carousels. This allows each carousel and packaging location to be fully utilized.

Embodiments may track performance of the various components. An overall system health may be displayed to the users.

Embodiments of product handling systems may also operate to plan the optimal packing, for example calling upon specific pack boxes as needed to fulfill each order. In one embodiment, the system may place larger, heavier items at the beginning of a cue so that those items are at the bottom of the packaging. Then, as the packaging gets filed, progressively lighter and more fragile items can be positioned on the top.

Embodiments could also function to determine where in the box a particular item should be placed. This allows knowing where product items are located through the entire packaging sequence.

The imaging and sensing data collected from the product items (as well as other available information such as images or other measurements/information taken before arrival at the facility) may be used to attribute properties to the item. Such other information can include data provided on barcodes or similar mechanisms such as RFID tags. These can be located on the individual item, on the incoming tray, or be traced to the incoming shipment. In some embodiments the other information may be measured ‘off-line’, such as a sample of fruits that are sent to lab tests or tasted.

The customer can be offered various packages if desired. In one example, produce could be selected based upon an expected day of ripeness. Thus an instruction received from the customer may be to “select 7 bananas, one that ripens every day for the next week”. Alternatively, a customer could request a box of fruit per day, each box ripening as needed.

In another example, a customer could select kits specifically intended for a certain recipe. Thus bananas slated for use in banana bread, could be ordered as bananas slightly paste their ripe stage.

Further alternatively, a customer could order a lasagna kit. During the selection process, the customer could be offered a list and choose some or all of the ingredients from that list.

Embodiments may allow external links to be placed on recipe sites, so that a user can add the recipe to their list of saved recipes. For example a customer may prefer the pasta sauce available from a particular website, and click the save recipe option. Then, that product item will be added to the customer's profile.

Later, the customer might look through their recipes and plan out meals for the week by selecting each meal and the day it is expected to be eaten. Embodiments could then sort through the order and select items of the best quality on the day scheduled for consumption.

According to embodiments, the product handling system could also be linked to other Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices that are able to determine or predict particular items already present in a customer's refrigerator or cupboard. Those particular items may then be able to be automatically ordered on a recurring time period. Alternatively, when a recipe is ordered, items already possessed by the customer can be automatically removed from the list.

A system according to embodiments could be linked to voice controlled devices. This allows a user to add an item to their grocery list so that it can be saved for a future order. A customer could accomplish this by asking to have items saved to their cart, or by notifying the system of a deficit of certain item. Information relating to particular dishes or recipes could be saved in a similar manner.

System users may have the ability to save past quality preferences. Thus if a customer ordered B level zucchini (for example), that customer could mark a box saving that preference for all future zucchini purchases. This shortens check out time and improves consumer confidence.

Imaging and other (e.g., sensing) parameters may be stored for sufficient time to allow comparison after customer feedback has been received. (This may be about a week for fresh produce purchases.) The stored information could be the raw data or a subset thereof that has been processed (e.g., for compression or encryption).

Parameters or ratings can be referenced to offer different pricing schemes or dynamic (adjustable) pricing based upon quality and/or supply-demand variations.

A customer can provide feedback on particular parameters of the delivered product. Examples of such parameters can include but are not limited to the quality, ripeness date, blemishes, or other parameters of purchased produce.

Systems according to embodiments may utilize machine learning to process feedback information together with other collected parameters (e.g., images of product items). This allows the system to improve an accuracy of predicting general properties (e.g., ripeness day, color, farm, and other attributes) as well as the preferences of a specific customer. Such data processing can aid customers in obtaining preferences, allow sellers to evaluate supplier performance, and permit suppliers to collect valuable quality control information and improvement feedback.

The user interface (UI) may include virtual or augmented reality images or scenarios. In one example, a user could enter a virtual supermarket where they can inspect and select the specific to be placed into their cart. Such a virtual store environment can be optimized to minimize time spent by down selecting items in an order they are shown according to preferences.

Product items not normally bought by a particular customer can be presented for inspection (including physical handing).

Recipes offered by the system accompanying product items, could be available for customer review to inform about possible uses for the product. If a recipe is selected, the user can be solicited to add the other recipe items to their cart. Alternatively or in addition, a user selecting a recipe could enter a virtual environment displaying finished dishes or recipes for ordering other ingredients as desired.

According to embodiments, a product handling system can provide estimated packing time based upon factors including but not limited to:

the order contents

other orders in the queue, and

the known content of the block containing other orders.

A product handling system according to embodiments could suggest changes in the order to reduce pack readiness time. The system could also actively suggest changes to the order based upon price considerations, for example to meet a budget requirement.

EXAMPLE

An example of a product handling system is now described. An embodiment of an automated system allows rapidly distributing a large number (on the order of many 10,000's) of unique incoming products into packages for customer delivery.

According to one embodiment, the system provides an automated grocery store offering rapid (e.g., minutes) fulfillment and packaging. In particular, grocery items typically involve 1,000s or 10,000s of unique items.

For example, individual product items in the field of fresh produce, may comprise a large volume of associated data. That is, an individual fruit or vegetable (e.g., an apple) may be associated with one or more of the following pieces of information:

product item identifier (ID)

size

color

variety

harvest date

source (e.g., farm)

visual inspection result

non-visual inspection result (e.g., softness, gas sample, many others)

This information could be stored in electronic format in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In one example, the information could be stored as fields in a data object stored in a database. The information could travel associated the particular product item, together with product handling specific data (such as a tray identifier, tray location identifier).

Upon user selection of the particular product item (e.g., apple), the product handling system could dispense the item to the consumer together with packaging (e.g., box, bag, together with any insert) within a short time frame.

While this particular example describes an embodiment that is designed for use in the packaging and delivery of fresh produce, this is not required. Other potential applications may call for the rapid fulfillment from a large number of product options, for example in the area of recycling of clothing or other items.

Particular embodiments may be especially suited to allow rapid distribution of a large number (on the order of many 10,000's) of unique incoming products into packages for customer delivery. By contrast, a conventional on-line retailer may carry millions of different individual items in warehouses for delivery.

Embodiments may thus offer a space efficient solution that may be local within proximity of customer demand. However, some embodiments could be located in larger warehouses outside of densely populated areas. Systems may permit a high level of quality control, allowing customers to avoid the inefficient travel to and from a store in order to select individual items for freshness and relevance.

In summary, embodiments may offer optical (hyperspectral, potentially 3D, potentially multi-angle) or other (like acoustic, pressure gauge, gas sensing systems, spectroscopy) inspection of some or all incoming material (e.g., loose produce) in bulk form.

Embodiments permit customer selection of specific product items (e.g., a particular tomato) based upon one or more of the following:

specific information (images)

specific or aggregated sensor data

typical images (of others that we sorted into same bin)

meta data accompanying the items (manufacturer's location and pick date if applicable, storage and transportation conditions, etc.)

the rank of a specific item within a larger aggregate of items

other criteria (such as size, weight, volume, color).

Embodiments may offer storage of product items within carousels that control multiple environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity, product to product proximity and interactions, mold growth, gas detection). Such a carousel-based storage system could be designed to allow rapid packing of individual products to provide rapid order fulfillment.

Embodiments may allow the vending of fresh produce into either a delivery package, an inner package, or a transient package. Here, an inner package represents a tray that will later go into a box with others. A transient package serves just to carry the product item(s) to a place where a shipment package is consolidated.

In the case of direct vending into a delivery package, that packaging may include a generic form of spacing or cushioning or an insert that will be placed before loading based on the expected items to be places into that delivery package (e.g., round indents for the packaging of stone fruit).

According to certain optional embodiments, inner packages, and/or individual items, and/or transient packages may be merged into a delivery package if appropriate.

In some cases, other material may be added to prevent damage to items in shipping or packaging. Examples can include but are not limited to cardboard, shredded paper, inflatable plastic bags, or other fillers. Alternatively, the individual dispensed product items may be covered with another flat or shaped surface or a stretchable or inflatable membrane for protection during shipping.

Embodiments may permit individual item selection by a consumer based on imaging and other sensor data. This selection may be enhanced by learning consumer preference(s) based upon image, collected data, and other sensors. This may be achieved independently, or in connection with automated features.

Various product handling systems according to embodiments may exhibit one or more of the following features. Certain embodiments may hold for a customer, a specific selected unique product items while they are in their cart. Some embodiments may save quality preferences of a customer for future orders.

Particular embodiments may feature recipe buttons that allow user to save a recipe, and select one or more particular product items of that recipe as part of an order. Product bundling features may facilitate a user ordering whole recipes, kits or a series of items. Various embodiments may allow optional browsing and selection by meal options instead of individual items.

Voice controlled additions to a cart may be allowed for future orders. Various embodiments may implement dynamic pricing based upon factors that can include but are not limited to expiration dates, consumer feedback, and conveyor load. Some embodiments may dispense product items for packaging according to expected expiration date.

FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram illustrating an embodiment of a product handling system 1100 according to an example. Specifically, a user 1102 interacts with a processor 1104 via a graphical user interface (GUI) 1106.

The processor is in communication 1107 with both a database 1108 in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 1110, and the various other system components 1112. Specifically, those other components serve to sort 1114 incoming items, with the processor assigning each a product item identifier that is stored in the database.

The individual product items are then inspected 1116. The processor assigns an identifier 1118 to each of the inspections, the results of which are stored in the database together with the product identifier 1120 and the inspection result identifier 1122.

As described extensively above, the individual unique product items are then loaded 1124 into tray(s). Again, the processor stores in the database, the corresponding tray identifier 1126 and tray location identifier 1128 associated with each individual product item identifier.

Next, the trays are moved to the carousel for storage 1130. A carousel identifier 1132, and a location 1134 of the tray within the carousel, may be stored by the processor in the database associated with the other IDs, thereby allowing tracking of tray and product item.

The specific data relevant to various product items is then communicated 1136 from the processor to the GUI, where it is displayed 1138 to the user. Based upon this displayed product item data, the user provides an input to select 1140 a particular product item.

The processor receives this selection, and in response communicates an instruction 1142 to the carousel. Based on that instruction, the carousel dispenses 1144 the unique product item into packaging. Finally, the product item together with the packaging are delivered 1146 to the customer.

Clause 1A. A method comprising:

sorting a first unique product item from a plurality of product items;

assigning a first identifier to the first unique product item;

conducting a first inspection of the first unique product item;

storing in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, a first inspection result associated with the first identifier;

disposing the first unique product item on a tray at a location that is assigned a second identifier;

storing in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the second identifier associated with the first identifier;

moving the tray to a carousel; and

storing the tray in the carousel under a controlled environmental condition.

Clause 2A. A method as in clause 1A further comprising:

communicating the first identifier and the first inspection result to a customer;

receiving from the customer an instruction including the first identifier;

in response to the instruction, referencing the second identifier based on the first identifier;

in response to the referencing, causing the carousel to dispense the product item from the first unique location into a packaging; and

distributing the product item in the packaging to a consumer.

Clause 3A. A method as in clause 2A wherein:

conducting the first inspection comprises conducting an optical inspection; and

the first inspection result comprises an image of the unique product.

Clause 4A. A method as in clause 2A further comprising:

conducting a second inspection of the first unique product item;

storing in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, a second inspection result associated with the first identifier; and

communicating the second inspection result to the customer along with the first identifier and the first inspection result.

Clause 5A. A method as in clause 4A wherein the second inspection is other than optical in nature.

Clause 6A. A method as in clause 1A wherein the controlled environmental condition is selected from temperature, humidity, illumination exposure, and proximity to another unique product item.

Clause 7A. A method comprising:

communicating to an interface, an inspection result for a unique product item stored under a controlled environmental condition within a carousel;

receiving from the interface, a selection of the unique product item;

in response to the selection, referencing a data object stored in a database to correlate a first identifier of the unique product item with a second identifier of a specific location within a tray in which the unique product item is disposed; and

based upon the second identifier, communicating an instruction to the carousel to dispense the unique product item into packaging.

Clause 8A. A method as in clause 7A wherein prior to the communicating the method further comprises:

sorting the first unique product item from a plurality of product items;

assigning the first identifier to the first unique product item;

conducting a first inspection of the first unique product item;

storing in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the data object associating the first identifier and the inspection result;

disposing the first unique product item on the tray at the specific location assigned to the second identifier;

storing in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the data object associating the second identifier with the first identifier;

moving the tray to the carousel; and

storing the tray in the carousel under the controlled environmental condition.

Clause 1B. An apparatus comprising:

-   a first carousel configured to receive from a first transport     network, a tray including a unique location associated with a first     identifier and bearing a unique product item associated with a     second identifier, the first carousel configured to maintain the     unique product item under a first controlled environmental     condition; -   a transfer mechanism configured to dispense the unique product item     into a first packaging at a staging location; and -   a second transport network configured to move the unique product     item and the first packaging from the staging location for     distribution to a customer.

Clause 2B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein the first packaging comprises a delivery packaging.

Clause 3B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein the second transport network is configured to move the unique product item for distribution via a second carousel.

Clause 4B. An apparatus as in Clause 3B wherein the first packaging comprises a transient packaging.

Clause 5B. An apparatus as in Clause 3B wherein the second transport network comprises an aisle conveyor belt.

Clause 6B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a robot.

Clause 7B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein:

-   the tray defines an opening; and -   the transfer mechanism comprises a member moveable into the opening     to contact the unique product item.

Clause 8B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein:

-   the first transport network is in a first plane intersecting the     carousel; -   the second transport network is a second plane also intersecting the     carousel; and -   the carousel is configured to move the tray between the first plane     and the second plane.

Clause 9B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein:

-   the first transport network is in communication with a first end of     the carousel; -   the second transport network is in communication with a second end     of the carousel opposite to the first end; and -   the carousel is configured to move the tray between the first end     and the second end.

Clause 10B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B further comprising an inspection station configured to interrogate the unique product item prior to being disposed to the unique location.

Clause 11B. An apparatus as in Clause 10B wherein the inspection station includes an optical camera.

Clause 12B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein the first packaging comprises a bag or a box.

Clause 13B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B wherein the first packaging further comprises an insert.

Clause 14B. An apparatus as in Clause 13B wherein the insert comprises a filler.

Clause 15B. An apparatus as in Clause 1B further comprising a loading station configured to dispose the unique product item in the unique location of the tray.

Clause 16B. An apparatus as in Clause 11B wherein:

-   the tray defines an opening; and -   the loading station comprises a member moveable into the opening to     contact the unique product item.

Clause 17B. An apparatus as in Clause 16B wherein the member comprises a robot.

Clause 18B. An apparatus as in Clause 11B wherein:

-   the tray defines an opening; and -   the first transport network comprises a member moveable into the     opening to contact the unique product item.

Clause 19B. An apparatus as in Clause 18B wherein the member comprises a pin.

Clause 20B. An apparatus as in Clause 19B wherein the first transport network comprises a conveyor.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a product handling system according to an embodiment. Product handling system 1200 includes multiple banks 1202 comprising six carousels 1204 each, that are oriented in two rows back-to-back.

Storage of particular items within a specific carousel, is typically determined at least in part by the conditions of that carousel. Certain items may be stored in groups calling for the same or similar conditions.

For example a set of fruit product items that call for a suite of conditions such as:

high relative humidity (RH),

low temperature,

low oxygen, and

high CO₂,

can all be stored together in the same carousel.

Product types calling for different storage conditions, may all be stored together in a different carousel. For example, in contrast with fruit product items, certain dairy product items may call for:

low temperature, and

normal RH conditions.

Each carousel may thus be characterized in part by its particular suite of environmental conditions, as well as by its physical location within the system.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of one carousel bank of the system of FIG. 12, with the side wall of one carousel cut away. This system utilizes a two-level transport path configuration, with trays 1206 arriving for loading on an upper level 1208, and trays being retrieved and products being dispensed into bags 1210 on a lower level 1212. Details regarding the product retrieval and unloading process for this particular embodiment, are further described below.

Returning to FIG. 12, it is noted that multiple carousels of the same type (e.g., “Berries”) may be present in a single system. This redundancy may be introduced in order to distribute the items throughout the system and increase bag path efficiency. Unwanted bottlenecks in the flow of materials through the system can be avoided, e.g., where product(s) of a particular carousel are popular and hence need to be dispensed/replenished, often.

It is further noted that the arrangement of carousels, and even banks of same, may be carefully determined in order to enhance the efficiency of flow of materials through the system. For example, carousels storing items typically purchased together, may be grouped to be physically near one another, thereby reducing inefficiencies of travel time/distance.

The specific location of product items in the carousels can be adjusted over time. This may be done in response to the identification of product purchasing behaviors that emerge for particular customers or subsets thereof. Such trends may be determined with the aid of intelligent learning approaches that are trained on past customer behavior.

Other considerations may influence carousel location within the system. For example, as described herein the placement of items within a bag may be carefully determined, with fragile products being dispensed last, on top of more durable items. Thus, carousels storing such fragile products may be located downstream in the process flow, with items ordered in a way that those slated for the bottom of the bag drop first, and those slated for the top of the bag drop last.

In addition to relative fragility, a dispensing order may also depend upon relative product item size. Certain approaches may seek to dispense a large item (e.g., a tall box of cereal) early in the sequence, and then dispense smaller products around it.

Returning to FIG. 13, the cut-away view shows the storage of multiple trays of products within the rotating carousel. Depending upon factors such as the number and quantity of products to be stored, carousels may be of varying sizes. Examples of standardized carousel heights can include but are not limited to (in feet): 13.5, 17.25, 21, 24.75, and 28.5. Other heights may also be used.

Conditions within each carousel are carefully maintained, and the environment of each selectively modified in order to extend product life. Environmental conditions that may be relevant for storing products in a desired state, can include but are not limited to:

time of storage;

temperature;

relative humidity;

gas levels (e.g., O₂, CO₂);

ethylene removal;

light exposure;

cross contamination;

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) levels;

mold spore levels; and

cross contamination.

Detection of such conditions can take place within the carousel itself, checking multiple trays at a same time. Alternatively, such conditions can be detected on an item-by-item basis during product intake and sorting, or prior to dispensing.

Hence, products that are desired to be maintained under similar conditions, may be stored within the same carousel. Incorporated by reference herein for all purposes, is the following document: Agricultural Handbook No. 66, “The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks”, printed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as revised February 2016. This publication provides a table listing compatible fresh fruits and vegetables during 7-day storage.

Considerations other than environment may dictate the storage of products within or outside of, the same carousel. For example, consumer safety reasons may require the segregation of product items that are the source of food allergies. Hence, the certain carousels may be dedicated to the storing of nuts only.

Details regarding the dispensing items from the tray with a conveyor from below, are now provided. In particular, the product retrieval and dispensing apparatus according to particular embodiments, may offer three services:

removing tray from carousel;

removing items from tray; and

placing items from tray into a bag.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of bag 1210 (shown with handles folded down), that is approaching and halting in front of the carousel on the transport path. At this time, the frame 1220 rises up to the level of the carousel opening 1222.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of forks from the frame extending 1224 into the carousel and lifting a tray 1226 present therein. FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the frame 1220, showing the forks 1230 extended therefrom. FIG. 17 shows an end view of the frame 1220, showing the fork 1230 extending underneath the edge of the tray 1226 having product 1228 disposed thereon.

Details regarding the architecture of the machinery along the retrieve axis, are now described in connection with FIGS. 18-19D. In particular, FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the frame prior to the extension of the forks.

FIGS. 19A-D show enlarged views of the front of the frame during the retrieval process. In FIG. 19A, a drive flipper 1232 is spring loaded in the up position. FIGS. 19B-D show that when the fork end effector is extended by the rearward drive gear 1234, a roller interface 1236 that rides on the drive flipper pushes it down into position.

After some amount of travel, the forward drive gear 1238 engages the rack. The gearing is designed so that both drive gears can interact with the rack at the same time and pass off the rack to each other. At full extension only, the forward drive gear is engaged.

Between FIGS. 19C and 19D, the flipper raises the forks to cause the tray to come off of its supports in the carousel. A benefit is that the back side of the forks do not stick out into space, and can be flush with the end of the tool.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the frame with the extended forks engaging the tray as part of the retrieval process. As the forks lift the tray from the carousel, product conveyors 1240 move laterally 1242 to the specific pick location (i.e., underneath the row of the tray from which items are to be dispensed).

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a product conveyor 1240 which includes a slide 1244. FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a tray (here empty for illustration) lowering over the product conveyors. FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of the product conveyors engaging to lift the products from the lowered tray.

FIGS. 24A-B show side views of the product conveyor(s) 1240 in non-extended and extended positions, respectively, including belt 1246 and fixed pulleys 1248. FIG. 25 shows a side view of the extended product conveyor(s) 1240 bearing products lifted from the tray 1226. In particular, the product conveyor(s) 1240 can slide forward 1243 off the tray 1226 and over the customer bag, in order to drop the item in a specific location.

Here, the belt stays tensioned as it moves between fixed pulleys. Pulleys 1251 move forward and back. They stay between the outside pulleys. This helps to ensure that tension is maintained in the belt.

Belt movement and sliding action may be driven by two splines 1250 and gears so that motors are fixed under the unit, making it easily removable and cleanable. As the conveyor, 1240 slides left and right to fit into the correct slot in the tray, the spline will stay engaged with the gears that drive the sliding action and the belt movement.

FIG. 26 shows a front view of the item being moved off of the extended product conveyor into the bag.

FIGS. 27A-C are side views showing a sequence of disposing a product into a bag according to an embodiment. At FIG. 27A, the customer bag 2700 starts bunched up at the top. FIGS. 27B-C show that as the bag becomes filled, a motor lowers the platform 2702 that the bag is sitting on, and additional items 2704 are placed on top.

A benefit of this approach is that the drop height is always the same height. Additionally, some items can be positioned in specific locations by controlling one or more parameters such as:

bag height;

conveyor position; and/or

bag location.

In an example, a product in the form of a bottle of wine could be initially disposed in the tray, oriented parallel to the product conveyors. As the bottle tips over the edge of the product conveyor, the bottom of the bottle will reach the bag and stop at an angle, resting against the product conveyor. The product conveyor can then push the top of the bottle forward until it is sitting upright.

As described herein, one benefit of product handling systems according to embodiments, is that they may allow for the full diversity of products of a conventional grocery store, to be simply organized, stored, and then accessed. One feature that is particularly helpful in this regard is the tray element.

Particular embodiments may feature two different tray types, each type configured in various sizes to receive different products. A first tray type is designed to store products that are round or cylindrical in shape, and hence exhibit a roughly circular cross-section

FIGS. 28 and 28A-B show overhead and cross-sectional views, respectively, of such a first tray type 2800 according to an embodiment. Here the tray is supporting products 2802 of cylindrical shape having a roughly circular cross-section. These trays can also hold spherical items.

By contrast, FIGS. 29 and 29A-B show overhead and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a second tray type 2900 according to one embodiment. Here the tray is supporting products 2902 of cuboid shape having a roughly rectangular cross-section. This tray type may differ from the other tray type in not having concave features configured to receive product items having a rounded cross-section.

Given these two basic types, various sizes of row dimensions may allow for the support of a wide variety of potential products, as is described in the following tables.

TABLE Group I (circular product cross-section) Tray Range of Product Cross-Sectional Example # Diameter (mm) Product I.1  ~30 to ~47  Loose Carrot I.2  ~47 to ~65  Avocado I.3  ~55 to ~87  Orange I.4  ~80 to ~123 Bell Pepper I.5 ~115 to ~155 Cauliflower Head I.6 ~140 to ~207 Banana Bunch

TABLE Group II (rectangular product cross-section) Tray # Range of Product Width (mm) Example Product II.1  ~55 to ~75  Spaghetti Box II.2  ~75 to ~95  Cheese block II.3  ~95 to ~115 ½ Gallon Juice II.4 ~115 to ~145 Bag of Flour II.5 ~145 to ~195 Gallon of Milk II.6 ~195 to ~300 Frozen Pizza

As previously described, embodiments may employ sensing of characteristics of products that are stored in the carousel, in order to ensure delivery at predetermined levels of freshness. One way that this can be done is by product imaging.

Specifically, optical characteristics of specific products at specific stages of freshness can be taken and recorded, in order to provide one method of quality measurement. FIG. 30 shows a simplified view of such an approach, where a series of optical images 3000 a-e have been taken of a product (here a bunch of bananas) at different stage of its freshness lifetime, ranging from as harvested, to pre-ripe (e.g. green), to ripe, and then to over-ripeness (e.g., suited for banana bread), and finally to no longer consumable.

Various optical characteristics of the image may be measured for each picture and stored, and a database created from the measurements. Exemplary optical characteristics which can be sampled by imaging according to embodiments, can include one or more of the following color properties:

hue;

saturation; and/or

brightness.

Using machine learning techniques in combination with artificial intelligence (AI) approaches, these images taken of produce along its freshness lifecycle, can be automatically segregated into quality groupings, depending upon how their optical properties (e.g., colors) change over time.

In one example, thirty-eight (38) images were taken of the specific bunch of bananas over its freshness lifetime. Saturation color property data for pixels of each of these images was sorted into 16 bins. Then, over ten iterations of K-means clustering, the resulting five groupings of product quality in FIG. 30 emerged.

FIG. 31 is a resulting histogram of the saturation data, showing a fraction of pixels exhibiting different values. By referencing such color properties stored in a database in connection with additional images that are acquired of new incoming produce, embodiments can immediately and accurately assign a freshness category to that incoming produce.

In summary: calculating one or more color properties of pixels in various optical images of a perishable product (such as produce), and then using that color property data in order to develop a database, can provide a model of the typical freshness life cycle of that produce. Such approaches would allow future color measurements to accurately predict a current status of newly-received instances of that perishable product during its freshness lifecycle (e.g., from harvested, to pre-ripe, to ripe, to over-ripe, to no longer useable).

It is noted that the freshness correlation just described above, is not limited to being based upon the sensed optical property of saturation. Other pixel optical data (such as from hyperspectral or multi-spectral imaging) can be referenced in the database.

Moreover, freshness prediction need not be based exclusively upon sensed optical characteristics. To enhance accuracy of the product freshness model and database, other factors could also be correlated within the database with the product and considered, including but not limited to one or more of:

diameter;

length/width/height (LWH);

weight;

shape;

blemish count;

blemish size;

detection of the presence of mold or insects;

elapsed time from harvesting;

firmness;

texture;

sugar content;

In addition to the inspection data mentioned above, data incoming with the product item from the source, could also be included in the database and correlated with expected freshness and other AI procedures. Examples of such incoming data types can include but are not limited to:

source (e.g., grower);

location (e.g., orchard #);

heat treatments;

radiation treatments;

pesticides;

organic certification;

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO);

days of sunshine;

days of rain;

harvest date;

days in storage;

transport company;

transport type;

transport conditions (e.g., temperature, duration); and

time processed.

One or more of the data types described above, may be further correlated with product item data that is also stored in the database. Examples of such product item data can include:

unique product item identifier;

Stock Keeping Unit (SKU);

locations (including past locations) of the specific product item within the product handling system (e.g., by carousel, tray, tray row, row position);

textual descriptor (e.g., “golden delicious apple”);

product classification (e.g., according to taxonomies set forth by international/national regulatory bodies, such as Import & Export);

brand name;

varietal;

vintage;

special notices (e.g., potentially allergenic, citations to federal/state/local regulation—e.g., Food & Drug—FDA, Agricultural—USDA);

association with other product items (e.g., by incoming shipment, by recipe, by meal kit, others);

packaging status (e.g., none/loose, paper packaging, plastic packaging, vacuum packaging, modified atmosphere packaging);

recommended shelf life.

One or more of the data types described above, may be further correlated with customer data that is also stored in the database. Examples of such customer data can include but are not limited to:

dynamic pricing data (e.g., per-quality pricing, coupons, bulk discounts);

data of product image offered to customer as part of selection process;

user feedback;

producer preferences;

repeat ordering trends;

temporal ordering trends (e.g., time of day, seasonal, annual, holiday, others);

customer location;

customer diets;

customer menus;

customer health (e.g., allergies);

inventory of items already available in customer's home.

One or more of the data types just described may be further correlated with system data that is also stored in the database. Examples of such system data can include but are not limited to:

tray identifier;

row-within-tray identifier;

position-within-row identifier;

carousel identifier;

carousel storage condition(s);

bag identifier;

storage time;

dispense time;

inter-carousel transfer time(s).

Thus according to some embodiments, the database could be a relational-type database having rows corresponding to individual incoming product items that are being handled, and various columns corresponding to different properties of that item (e.g., source, freshness state, carousel conditions, many others as mentioned herein). Such a database structure allows the data relevant to each handled product item to remain associated with that product over the entire lifetime of the handling process (e.g., from intake, through storage, retrieval, and final dispensing to the customer).

As mentioned above, embodiments may employ artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques—for example to assess product freshness and predict future freshness based upon inspection and other data types. Such AI approaches involve a specialized procedure executed by a processor, which recognizes correlations between a corpus of known starting conditions and resulting historical outcomes. The specialized procedure is trained and refined based upon the historical outcomes, and is then used to predict outcomes for new starting conditions not previously encountered (e.g., a new product being received for imaging).

FIG. 32 shows a simplified flow diagram illustrating a machine learning process 3200. At 3202, a training data corpus is selected. That training data represents the various historical inputs, and the corresponding known results.

At 3204, a model for predicting the results from the corresponding inputs is created. That model is mathematical in nature, and can be in the form of weighted equations, neural nets, and others.

The model is configured to receive inputs in numerical form. Accordingly, at 3206 preprocessing is performed upon the various inputs of the training set, in order to convert them into numbers recognizable by the model. Such preprocessing can involve a variety of techniques such as normalization, tokenization, and others.

At 3208, the training data is applied to the model to refine its structure. In certain embodiments this training phase may involve the adjustment of weights within the model, to allow it to better reflect the historical results that are produced from the known inputs. These model outputs are also in numerical form, and typically represent likelihoods of a plurality of outcomes. In this manner, the model is trained by the training data.

At 3210, a new input is applied to the model that has been trained by the training data. In response, the trained model outputs a probability that the new input corresponds to a particular outcome. This application of new data to the trained model is known as the inference phase.

At 3212, the numerical results output by the model are mapped into useful information. For example, the mapping to an outcome may correlate a numerical result into to a particular product freshness state.

At 3214, the accuracy of the new predicted output can be evaluated. This evaluation of accuracy can then be fed back 3216 into the training corpus to help further refine the accurate performance of the model in predicting outcomes from new inputs. This new input is applied to the model as trained by the training data.

FIG. 33 shows a simplified diagram illustrating the implementation of artificial intelligence principles to product handling according to embodiments. System 3300 comprises imaging camera 3302 that performs an optical inspection upon incoming perishable product 3304 (here an apple). That optical inspection may be for visible wavelengths, multiple wavelengths (multi-spectral imaging), or may include other than visible wavelengths (hyperspectral imaging).

The optical data resulting from the optical inspection is stored in database 3306. As described previously, other data may also be stored in the database, for example incoming product source and transportation data 3308.

Based upon this stored data, an assessment of the physical state 3309 of the product may be produced by an inspection artificial intelligence model. That state may reveal blemishes or other features characteristic of product freshness (e.g., water content).

The product is then routed by automation control 3310 to a particular carousel 3312 based upon considerations such as its freshness, expected shelf life, and popularity. A separate AI degradation model 3314 may predict the progression of the stored product through its freshness lifecycle (e.g., as harvested, pre-ripe, ripe, overripe, not usable). This degradation model can ensure that only products of an accurately predicted freshness, are ultimately dispensed to the customer according to his or her preferences.

In particular, FIG. 33 also shows a customer input 3320 received by a fulfillment engine 3322. The engine processes the input, and in response causes the carousel to dispense the product at its known state of freshness according to the AI model. As described above, the fulfillment engine may utilize data including learning feedback 3324 (e.g., from the customer) in order to enhance the accuracy of this product dispensing process.

As described herein, artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches may prove useful in predicting a number of different type of outcomes in the overall product handling process. One example is using automated quality prediction procedures and models in order to separate Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) into quality groups that a consumer can select from between based upon their preferences. Actual images of the individual items may be offered to the customer during this product selection process.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches may also be utilized in connection with dynamic pricing of specific items. That is, automated quality prediction procedures and models can be used to dynamically price each individual item based upon properties such as freshness, expected expiration, and demand.

Automated quality prediction models may also be referenced in order to rank the individual product items belonging to a SKU, by their ripeness and expiration dates.

In summary, the following table lists several AI models, together with their expected inputs and outputs.

AI Model Input Output Inspection Optical data Product Blemishes Other inspection data (e.g., Product Water Content detection of mold, ethylene, etc.) Freshness Optical Product Freshness State Lifecycle Product Blemishes Expiration Date Source/Transport data Other inspection data (e.g., detection of mold, ethylene, etc.) Product Freshness State Dynamic Product Price Pricing Customer Data Product Multiple Product SKUs Multiple Product SKUs Ranking Multiple Product Grouped by Freshness Freshness States State Product Freshness State Location of Product for Storage Storage Conditions storage in Carousel and Other Storage Factors (e.g., Tray of Product allergies, typical purchase Handling System with other products) Popularity (e.g., possible bottlenecks) Expected Depth Location in Bag Product Freshness State Bag for Receiving Dispensing Product Ranking Dispensed Product Customer Preferences Expected Depth Location in Bag

Successful application of various such AI approaches may help to ensure that a product exhibiting the quality desired by a customer, can be rapidly and efficiently delivered to that customer. For example, the consumer may be offered his or her selection of SKUs in a way that allows the customer to always consume the item at peak ripeness. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction.

Product handling systems according to embodiments, may provide the customer with the ability to purchase a set of individual product items belonging to a particular SKU, with each individual item turning ripe on the day requested by the customer.

Embodiments may also provide the customer with the ability to purchase individual product items belonging to a complementary set of SKUs. That is, items belonging to certain SKUs may commonly be purchased together (e.g., cake ingredients), and the system facilitates handling and delivery of a set of those SKU items together.

Embodiments also allow for dynamic pricing of handled items. By generating and storing in the database an up-to-date and accurate assessment of product quality and expiration date for each item, the items can be dynamically priced for sale. For example, aging produce having an earlier expiration date can be dynamically priced at a lower value, allowing for more rapid sale and product turnover, and reducing waste.

Product handling approaches according to embodiments can exhibit increased efficiency and flexibility in other ways. For example, the large number of data types stored in the database and available to various AI models, can permit automatic filtering of a consumer's product choices or meal kit choices. This filtering can be based upon stored factors such as consumer diets, consumer allergies, and current availability of bulk items in stock at a consumer's home.

As described above, product handling methods and apparatuses according to embodiments, may be particularly useful for delivering perishable items. In some embodiments the shelf life of a product may be measured in days, for example in the case of fresh produce. Other products may have lifespans that are significantly longer than a week, for example pre-packaged products or aged items such as cheese and wine. Examples of product lifespans may be accommodated according to embodiments are 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years.

While the above description has focused upon the handling and storage of perishable items, embodiments are not limited to such examples. Alternative embodiments can store non-perishable goods, e.g., those expected to have lifetime of five years or greater.

Clause 1C. A method comprising:

-   receiving a perishable product item; -   sensing an optical image of the perishable product item, the optical     image comprising a plurality of pixels; -   calculating color properties for at least some of the plurality of     pixels; -   storing the color properties in a database; and

predicting a freshness state of the perishable product item based upon the color properties, by referencing a freshness model trained according to historical freshness data.

Clause 2C. A method as in Clause 1C further comprising:

-   identifying a blemish on the perishable product item based upon the     color properties, by referencing an inspection model trained     according to historical blemish data; and -   storing the blemish in the database.

Clause 3C. A method as in Clause 2C wherein the freshness model further considers the blemish in predicting the freshness state.

Clause 4C. A method as in Clause 1C further comprising:

-   loading the perishable product item into a carousel maintained under     an environmental condition based upon the freshness state; and -   storing the environmental condition in the database.

Clause 5C. A method as in Clause 4C further comprising:

-   controlling the environmental condition based upon the freshness     state to prolong a freshness of the perishable product item.

Clause 6C. A method as in Clause 4C further comprising dispensing the perishable product item from the carousel by,

-   causing a product conveyor to protrude through an opening in the     tray to contact the perishable product item, and -   advancing the conveyor to cause the perishable product item to fall     into a bag having a bottom positioned at a first height proximate to     the conveyor.

Clause 7C. A method as in Clause 6C further comprising:

-   lowering the bottom of the bag away from the conveyor prior to     receiving another product item dispensed on top of the perishable     product item.

Clause 8C. A method as in Clause 6C wherein the dispensing is in response to a consumer input accepting a price of the perishable product item.

Clause 9C. A method as in Clause 8C further comprising:

-   dynamically calculating the price according to a price model based     upon the freshness state.

Clause 10C. A method as in Clause 8C further comprising:

-   prior to receiving the consumer input, separating the perishable     product item into a freshness grouping based upon the freshness     state and a consumer preference stored in the database.

Clause 11C. A method as in Clause 8C further comprising:

-   prior to receiving the consumer input, displaying the optical image     to the consumer.

Clause 12C. An apparatus comprising:

-   a product handling carousel storing a perishable product item under     an environmental condition; -   a database storing a freshness state of the perishable product, a     carousel identifier, and the environmental condition; -   a fulfillment engine configured to reference the freshness state and     the carousel identifier in response to a customer input, and cause     the carousel to dispense the perishable product item into a bag.

Clause 13C. An apparatus as in Clause 12C further comprising a frame having forks extendable to retrieve a tray from the product handling carousel.

Clause 14C. An apparatus as in Clause 12C further comprising a product conveyor configured to,

-   protrude through an opening in a tray to contact the perishable     product item, and -   advance to cause the perishable product item to fall into a bag     having a bottom positioned at a first height proximate to the     conveyor.

Clause 15C. An apparatus as in Clause 14C wherein the frame is moveable to lower the tray over the product conveyor.

Clause 16C. An apparatus as in Clause 14C further comprising a moveable platform configured to lower a bottom of the bag upon receiving the perishable product item.

Clause 17C. An apparatus as in Clause 12C wherein:

-   the perishable product item exhibiting an approximately circular     cross section is supported on a tray of a first type; or -   the perishable product item exhibiting an approximately rectangular     cross section is supported on a tray of a second type.

Clause 18C. An apparatus as in Clause 12C further comprising a camera configured to:

-   sense an image of the perishable product item, the image comprising     a plurality of pixels; -   calculate color properties for at least some of the plurality of     pixels; and -   store in the database, the color properties associated with the     perishable product item.

Clause 19C. An apparatus as in Clause 18C wherein the database is configured to store the color properties together with at least one of system data, customer data, and incoming data associated with the perishable product item.

Clause 20C. An apparatus as in Clause 18C wherein the fulfillment engine is configured to:

-   process the color properties to generate a freshness state for the     perishable product item; and -   store in the database, the freshness state associated with the     perishable product item.

Further details regarding the inspection of products to determine defects, are now described. Embodiments may use machine learning in combination with inspection to detect defects in produce based on their area and defect type.

There are at least two ways to inspect for defects. A first approach involves developing a model for each variety of produce. This amounts to around 700 different models.

An alternative approach develops a universal model for each defect. Examples of such universal models could comprise a bruise model and a cut skin model. This defect-based approach results in only about 40 models being needed, reducing development time and enhancing robustness.

Specifically, utilizing visual/near-infrared imaging in combination with machine learning, allows object detection for product item quality. Camera systems are used to take images of produce in a controlled lighting environment.

The images cover wavelengths in the visible RGB range as well as in the near infrared (NIR) wavelength range. This can be accomplished with multiple cameras (e.g. one RGB camera and one NIR camera), or a single multi-channel camera.

Specific filters can be added to the cameras to focus the inspection on a particular band of wavelengths, especially for the NIR camera. Each of the image modalities may reveal different types of defects on produce. For example, FIGS. 34A-B show NIR images, and FIGS. 34C-D show RGB images.

The acquired images are labeled, and then used to train machine learning models to detect defect(s) that may be present. The models can be trained in at least two different ways.

According to one approach, a model is trained to detect all possible kinds of defects on a single type of item (e.g., apples), by using a training set comprising known defects on a series of images taken of that one item type.

According to another approach, a model is trained to detect a specific defect (e.g., a bruise) across many types of produce (e.g. as found on apples, pears, tomatoes, peaches, etc.) using a training set comprising images including the specific defect on a variety of produce types.

The object-detection type model is one possible example. Here, the RetinaNet deep learning algorithm was adapted for this purpose. The size of the resulting bounding box around the detected defect, indicates the size of the defect.

The resulting information on differentiated defects in the images, and the size of each defect, is combined with a produce-specific algorithm to determine a quality grading for the item.

Moreover, this information can also be combined with other information (including harvest date, prior storage conditions, future storage conditions, etc.) in a procedure which predicts how the produce will ripen or degrade over time.

While the above has described inspection of items utilizing a camera, this is not required. As an alternative or supplement to a camera, a spectrometer may also be used.

Specifically, spectrometer measurements (e.g., reflection, absorbance, transmission, etc.) of an item in the VIS/NIR wavelength range (˜350-2500 nm), permits analysis of the external/internal properties of the item, which can include but are not limited to:

color;

external defects;

internal browning;

dry matter content;

sugar content;

firmness;

rot; and

others.

In one implementation, portable spectrometers have been developed for agricultural applications in inspecting produce before picking, or for later handheld inspection of individual pieces of produce.

An embodiment of a process according to a particular example, may take spectrometer VIS/NIR measurements of incoming produce items. That spectrometer data may be correlated with quality, defects, and current ripeness level of produce. FIG. 35 shows a simplified spectrograph.

The spectrometer ripeness prediction is combined with data from other camera inspection systems and historical information on produce (e.g., date picked, variety, growing location, previous storage conditions, storage conditions while in grocery store). This data may be used to assess optimal time to deliver produce to customer and predict timeline for how produce will ripen and/or decay while in the grocery store. This approach reduces waste, improves operations/logistics, and improves customer satisfaction.

Products may be inspected prior to entering storage in the carousel(s). Product lifetime may be estimated based upon the inspection results.

In some embodiments, however, products can be automatically inspected after storage, either exclusively or in combination with inspection prior to storage. Such post-storage inspection can employ one or more of the following techniques.

Cameras may be used to inspect a full tray or products directly after being pulled from the carousel. Cameras may also inspect individual products after they are removed from a tray and before they are dispensed into a bag.

Moreover, sensors other than visual sensors (e.g., cameras) may be employed to inspect the products. For example, berries degrade quickly by getting moldy—a negative experience for the customer.

It is possible to sense mold by “sniffing” the gas around the product. In once embodiment, a nozzle could just be positioned to suck air from inside a clamshell enclosing a berry. The sampled air could then be analyzed. In another approach each case could go through a closed box where the air is analyzed for mold spores.

Details regarding apparatuses that may be utilized for product inspection, are now provided. A variety of methods may flip and/or spin product items during camera inspections to allow interrogation from multiple sides.

Product item shapes may be generally classified into spheres, cylinders, and cuboids. After inspection, the items are sorted into trays based on various criteria. A number of approaches may be used to place items onto trays as part of intake, inspection, and/or sorting of individual unique product items incoming to the system.

One approach utilizes a pivoting belt conveyor. FIGS. 36A-B show perspective views of a single conveyor having a linkage that can be angled from flat over a range of angles.

Items can translate through the conveyor. FIGS. 37A-F show simplified views of pivoting belt conveyor flows.

Spheres and cylinders will roll when the conveyor is rotated up at an angle. This is shown in FIGS. 37A-C.

Also, the unit can fold over itself in order to flip a box item. This is shown in FIGS. 37D-F.

It is noted that two O-ring belt conveyors can convey almost all items. And, cameras from 6 directions take images of the items. FIGS. 38A-D show various views of an embodiment of such a simple convey with multiple cameras approach. Using six cameras as shown, all sides of the item can be imaged quickly.

Certain approaches may utilize free fall imaging of items. That is, as items fall off of a conveyor, they are imaged in the air. FIGS. 39A-B show different views of such an approach.

Multiple cameras capture all sides of the items. The item is caught with a cushioned conveyor or other soft landing pad, before moving the produce further along the conveyor. This method allows for quick image capture of all sides of an item, without having to deal with other hardware being in the camera field of view. This permits a single machine learning model to be used with the images taken from all cameras.

Another possible approach utilizes a star wheel conveyor, as shown in FIG. 40. The star wheel conveyor is a multi-arm conveyor that can rotate. FIGS. 40A-C show simplified views illustrating that spheres and cylinders can be rotated as the conveyor belt runs. When in the 12 o′clock position, the item can be imaged while rotated.

Cuboid items can be flipped when going through the system. This is shown in FIGS. 40D-F.

Such a star wheel conveyor allows many items to be completely imaged with a limited number of cameras. The cameras may have the same mechanical components in the FOV, which simplifies the machine learning.

Still another approach may utilize a popup roller conveyor. FIG. 41A shows a top view, and FIGS. 41B-C show end views of such a mechanism.

According to this approach, two o-ring belts convey items in the store. The rollers pop up next to the conveyor when the item is in place. Cylinders and spheres are rolled along the conveyor, thereby presenting all sides of the item to a few cameras. Different size rollers may be used based on the item size.

This system allows for a majority of items to be fully imaged with a limited number of limited cameras. The cameras may have the same mechanical components in the FOV, which simplifies the machine learning strategies.

Another mechanism that may be useful for handling items within the system, is a roller and spinner conveyor. FIG. 42A shows a top view, and FIGS. 42B-C show perspective end views of an embodiment utilizing this approach.

Here, the conveyor comprises trapezoidal rollers, and items are carried along by the conveyor. The roller/spinner conveyor stops and the rollers spin, thereby rolling cylinders and spheres. Again, this action allows sides of the item to be presented to only a few cameras. The cameras will have the same mechanical components in the FOV, which simplifies the machine learning.

FIGS. 43A-45C show other possible approaches for handling items for positioning onto a tray. These methods, described below, can be utilized alone or in various combinations.

A pop through conveyor offers a possible approach for item handling. FIGS. 43A-B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of such a mechanism. Here, the tray moves left and right while pop through conveyors advance items along a belt.

Specifically, this concept provides an auto tray loading concept that is similar to the dispense station. Two belt conveyors distribute the items along the length of each row. The tray moves so the items are located in the correct row. This approach allows items of different grades to be separated in their distinct row of the tray, without requiring a buffer system or unique classification separation system.

Still another item handling approach may utilize an XYZ gantry mechanism. FIGS. 44A and 44B show simplified top and side views respectively, of an embodiment according to this approach. In these figures the tray moves left and right and in and out. The item feed drops item into the tray.

Here, the trays are disposed on a moveable XYZ gantry, and move the tray to a distinct position so the item may be placed in the exact position desired. This concept allows items of different grades to be separated in their distinct row of the tray without needing a buffer system or unique classification separation system.

Still other item handling approaches may utilize a vertical stack buffer system. FIG. 45A shows a side view, and FIGS. 45B-C show top views, illustrating an embodiment.

Specifically, this approach offers a post-inspection, pre-tray loading grade and size filtering system, allowing items of the same grade and/or size to be are grouped together. This mechanism allows for a simpler tray loading mechanism as all items are filtered into the correct category, prior to being taken to the tray loader.

In the specific approach illustrated in these figures, there is a vertical buffer that builds each row. So, the infeed becomes more complex, moving up and down and left to right to feed a fixed tray position.

As shown in the top view of FIG. 45C, the conveyor branches to allow First In, First Out (FIFO) filtering amongst each branch. Each branch contains the same size and/or grade.

This multiple conveyor setup shown in FIG. 45C, allows for a simpler tray stocking mechanism, as all items are filtered into the correct category prior to being taken to the tray loader. This embodiment also offers relative simplicity from a mechanical perspective.

As has been previously discussed, embodiments may call for items to be stored under controlled conditions, in a carousel structure. Various aspects of possible designs for the carousel element, are now described.

Initially, it is noted that trays can be shifted from one carousel to another. This may be done automatically in order to control ripeness.

For example, an avocado should be initially stored in a cold carousel in order to preserve its life. Then, a few days prior to being dispensed, the avocado should be shifted to a different carousel that is maintained under warmer temperature conditions, and paired next to an ethylene producing item. This will initiate ripening.

Once the ripening process has commenced, the avocado could be shifted back to a colder carousel to keep it from over-ripening. The avocado can then be sold to a consumer at the desired ripeness. Such a carousel-shifting approach allows more products to be stored in inventory, without spoilage and loss of desirable characteristics (e.g., flavor and nutrients in the case of a produce item).

FIG. 46 shows a simplified perspective view of a front of a carousel according to an embodiment. As previously illustrated, items are stored within the carousel upon moveable (e.g., vertically moveable) carriers.

FIG. 46A illustrates a perspective view of one possible embodiment of a carrier. This carrier embodiment features lower support beams.

FIG. 46B illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier. Here, the lower supports are replaced with backside support beam(s). Such a back-support approach may effectively increase the density of items that may be stored within the carousel.

Specifically, by avoiding the space occupied by a bottom support beam, a carrier design can fit 7, 6, 5, or 4 shelves. Carriers of various capacities may be available in each carousel, as needed.

FIG. 46C shows a simplified front view of a carrier. Here, two 3 mm back support beams take most of the load, and transfer to outer support walls. The back beams support vertical load, and resist deflection/twisting.

Extending out of the page in FIG. 46C, is a single part featuring tabs to hold trays. By eliminating the bottom supports (and increased back support) this embodiment affords enhanced vertical tray stacking density—according to some embodiments thereby allowing one more full layer of trays per carrier. Particular embodiments may offer 10.2% more product storage because of the back (rather than bottom) support design.

Various configurations may further enhance densities of vertically stacked trays within a carousel. For example, while the specific embodiment of FIG. 46B offers support for multi-layers for trays with a fixed pitch, that pitch may not be optimal for all items.

Different types of carriers may be present in each carousel. Each carrier can be constructed to handle different level counts in order to maximize density.

For example, FIG. 46D shows carriers having a different number of levels, and per-level pitches, to allow storage of different items. As shown in FIG. 46D:

a carrier having 4 levels might offer a greatest stacking density for trays storing honey dew melons and 2 gallon milk jugs.

a carrier having 5 levels, might offer a greatest stacking density for trays storing green peppers and mayonnaise jars

a carrier having 6 levels, might offer a greatest stacking density for trays storing oranges and pasta boxes.

a carrier having 7 levels, might offer a greatest stacking density for trays storing apples and rice boxes

a carrier having 8 levels, might offer a greatest stacking density for trays storing limes and salad dressing bottles.

Once items are stored within the carousel upon a tray supported by a carrier, individual items may be dispensed therefrom. Various details regarding particular embodiments of dispensing mechanism are now described.

FIG. 47 shows a perspective view of a front side of a carousel, having attached thereto a dispensing station according to an embodiment. The view of FIG. 47 may usefully be contrasted with the previous view of FIG. 46.

An item dispensing station according to embodiments may feature one or more elements to enhance performance. For example, it is important to avoid items falling off the dispense station. Accordingly, certain embodiments may feature a dispense conveyor backstop on the pop through conveyor, in order to keep items from falling backwards.

FIG. 48A shows an enlarged view of a tail on the conveyor, which prevents items from rolling off the back when the tray is lowered over it and items from a row are dispensed. FIG. 48B shows a simplified perspective view of the pop-through conveyor of the dispense station, poised to dispense item(s) from a particular tray row.

Dispense stations according to embodiments may also feature sensors for detecting dispensed items. FIG. 49A shows a side view of a pop-up conveyor mechanism including an optical sensor for dispensed item detection. FIG. 49B shows an enlarged view of the optical sensor in the pop-up conveyor.

This presence sensor detects when an item arrives at the end of the conveyor. The length of the item is already known, so once the item is detected the conveyor can be driven the known amount to dispense the item off of the conveyor end. The sensor also detects that the item has left the conveyor, thereby allowing reliable confirmation of dispensing a single item.

Weight can also be detected as a sensed quantity during dispensing. FIG. 50 shows a perspective view of a dispense station configured with load cells for this purpose.

Load cells may permit weight measurement to detect items falling off the dispense station (e.g., off of the back). Load cells can also be used to detect the change in weight as an item leaves the conveyor.

Load cells may be positioned in a number of different possible locations, including but not limited to:

under the mounting rails for the mobile platform;

on the extending conveyor rail; and/or

at a strain gauge between the end rollers.

As an item is dispensed off the end of the conveyor, the load cell reading marks a step change, indicating the reduction in mass on the conveyor. This again permits reliable dispensing of just one item at a time from the tray.

In order to accurately accomplish item dispensing in a reliable manner, it may be useful to precisely control tray position. Maintaining positional control of the tray within a tolerance, allows the dispense conveyors to repeatedly fit through the slots in the tray, while reducing the layers of closed loop motion control.

The exercise of positional control over the tray may commence when the tray arrives at the carousel (FIG. 51A), and is then loaded into the carousel (FIG. 51B). From the time the tray is initially physically contacted, it is passed from pinned location to pinned location.

FIG. 51C shows a simplified view of the use of indexing pins. Specifically, the tray lifter aligns with the tray and lifts it up with the end effector. These end effectors on the tray lifters inserting and removing the tray from the carousel, have pins that index with the tray.

The carrier has pins that index with the tray. The tray arrives at the upper tray lifter and is lifted by the end effector. The end effector pins index with the tray, locating it precisely. The upper tray lifter inserts the tray into the carrier, where it also indexes on pins. Using such passive (e.g., pin) features to control position of the tray during storage, allows for closer tolerances on the dispensing end effector while still allowing retrieval without closing the loop between the end effector position and the tray position.

Exercising positional control of the tray on the end effector, also permits precise disposition of the dispensing conveyors so they fit through the slots in the tray without closing the loop between tray position and dispensing conveyor position.

Details regarding designs for the end effector are now described. It was discovered that reaching relatively deep into a narrow space called for better control over the angle of the end effector, than:

reaching into a short space, or

not reaching in at all, and just hooking the front end of the tray.

Accordingly, FIG. 52A illustrates a simplified side view of an end effector design according to one embodiment. Here, using injection molded parts for the trays allowed for a simplification in the carrier. The shelf upon which the tray sits, was made flat rather than a U-shape, in order to dodge the tray lifter linear slides.

FIG. 52B shows an alternative embodiment wherein the end effector on the tray lifter, is a hook that engages with the front edge of the tray. The tray is pushed into or pulled out of the carrier, by the hook end effector.

The tray slides on the carrier shelf and also slides on a shelf on the tray lifter. This eliminates the issue of leveling the carriers to the tray lifter and maintaining level tolerance for every carrier in every loaded state.

FIG. 52C shows another alternative embodiment. Here, the end effector on the tray lifter may have a pinion gear that engages with a rack (which may be molded into the tray). Driving the pinion gear pulls the tray out of the carrier and onto the tray lifter. This eliminates the problem of leveling the carriers to the tray lifter, and maintaining a tight level tolerance for every carrier in every loaded state.

FIGS. 53A-B show different views of carrier design embodiments configured to interact with the end effectors of FIGS. 52B-C. Here, with the new hook design or gear rack design, the slides do not have to insert into the carrier.

This allows for increasing the pitch of the carrier shelves receiving the tray. Such increased shelf pitch promotes an increase in tray packing density, by allowing choice of the best shelf to put the tray on to allow it to be closest to the next tray above or below.

It is noted that the slides holding the end effector need to fit between the shelves. Not needing to preserve open space for slides, allows the shelf pitch to be tighter. The tray can be positioned closer to the one above or below it depending on the height of items in the tray.

Details regarding various designs for the customer bag and the transporting same for shipping, are now discussed.

A traveler containing a bag to receive dispensed items, may feature a platform that can be raised and lowered. There are several possible ways to raise and lower the platform.

FIG. 54A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a traveler. In this embodiment, the traveler platform may be moved up and down through the operation of lead screws that are driven by a chain or belt.

FIG. 54B shows an alternative embodiment of a traveler. Here, the platform may be raised or lowered utilizing linear actuator(s), and guide rail(s) located in opposite corners.

Alternative designs for travelers are of course possible. Certain embodiments could feature the platform attached to a scissor lift. Some embodiments could feature the platform lifted in corners by belts or pulleys. Also, a traveler design could comprise an assembly of springs that compress when the bag is full, and extend when the bag is empty.

Some embodiments may add load cell(s) to the platform, allowing measurement of changes in weight at the traveler. FIGS. 55A-B show views of an embodiment of a traveler incorporating load cells.

In this embodiment, the load platform comprises two plates. The bottom plate is anchored to lead nuts that travel up and down the screws.

Four cantilever beam load cells support the top plate. These load cells measure the weight of items in the bag, helping to determine if items were successfully dispensed.

While the specific configuration of load cell may vary, the basic concept features the measurement of weight changes to evaluate dispensing. Given known item weights, with proper calibration the difference between weight changes (e.g., 1 apple vs. 2 apples) can reveal when possible errors occur.

Bag(s) for housing items dispensed from the carousel, are supported by the traveler. One or more methods may be utilized to hold the bag in place at the top of the frame.

FIGS. 56A-B show top perspective, and enlarged views respectively, of a traveler including a frame. Bags are first bunched or accordioned, around a rectangular box for quick loading into the traveler. This restrains fabric to the perimeter of the bag, thereby leaving the bag bottom exposed to receive the dispensed item, without interference from bunched fabric.

According to particular embodiments, the bags may have fabric grommets installed in their upper corners. Bags are loaded into the traveler by hooking the grommets over bent pegs located in the upper corners of the frame.

A hinged lid (with an integrated latch) opens and closes to lock the bag in place. The inner rim of the lid may be lined with bulb edge guards to protect dispensed items from being damaged.

However, alternative designs for the traveler are possible, with the bag being fixed according to other approaches. For example, FIG. 57A shows a traveler embodiment featuring straight vertical grommet pegs, sticking up. An (optional) removable rubber cap may be tethered to the bottom of the peg, for a quick locking feature with a part that doesn't get lost.

FIG. 57B shows an alternative traveler embodiment featuring straight vertical grommet pegs, sticking down, embedded in the lid. When closed, the pegs insert into holes, locking the bag in place.

Still further alternative traveler designs are possible. Some embodiments may feature a quick turn arm and locking post. Other embodiments may include velcro tabs sewn on to the upper bag corners. Magnets could also be used as clamps.

FIGS. 58A-B show simplified views of a plunger and grommet, and traveler embodiment incorporating same. Here, pop-out panel fastening plungers are installed in bag rim to lock into place. A loop of sheet metal wraps around grommet and bag fabric, clamping the bag in place.

A traveler according to an embodiment may feature a frame topped with a hinged lid. FIGS. 59A-C show simplified views of a hinged lid. The enlarged view of FIG. 59C shows the T-profile hinge integrated into sheet metal, locked in place after initial assembly by installing a block covering the wide slot. FIGS. 60A-B are perspective views of a traveler showing the hinge and spring clasp, with the lid open and closed, respectively.

According to certain embodiments, the traveler may be powered by a quick-swappable battery pack design that can be easily replaced for charging. The battery pack may comprise a housing and two sealed lead acid batteries wired in series inside the housing.

FIG. 61A shows a battery pack embodiment with the power plug located in the back of the housing relative to the front flange. FIG. 61B shows a battery pack embodiment with the power plug located on the side of the housing relative to the front flange.

A processor can measure the battery's state of charge by reading its voltage. When the battery pack is low on charge, it can be removed from the traveler base without tools. It may be unplugged without any loose wires; the power plug and jack are embedded in the traveler base and battery pack housing, respectively.

The battery pack may be charged in a parallel rack system located close to the bag unloading station. A fully charged battery can be loaded into the traveler so it can continue its work with only a short interruption.

As noted previously, particular embodiments may afford movement of the traveler based on conveyor action. FIG. 62 is a simplified view showing conveyors 6200 can stop tray 6201 in front of an individual staging position 6202, to receive item(s) 6204 dispensed from a given carousel 6206.

In particular embodiments, the conveyor system for the traveler may comprise a collection of modular conveyor sections and 90° transfer stations. This conveyor system moves the travelers around the fulfillment center to accomplish their tasks (e.g., receiving dispensed items, possibly loading trays into carousels).

The conveyors may be arranged in grids and loops. Each section is capable of running in both forward and reverse directions.

According to embodiments, each conveyor section is an independently controlled set of rollers linked together with drive O-rings. One roller pin in each conveyor section has an integrated motor with servo control that allows precise positioning of a traveler on that section, in the dimension of conveyance (e.g., across the dispensing station located at the front of the carousel).

Position control along this dimension, combined with position control of the dispense arms of the tray lifter in a perpendicular dimension, allows items to be dispensed to precise locations in the bag.

When a traveler is supported by rollers of adjacent conveyor sections, control software may instruct coordinated movement of both conveyors until the traveler is fully in control of the downstream section. At that point, the section can move the traveler around without affecting the positions of other travelers.

This independent control can facilitate precise item dispensing at every dispense station. A photoelectric sensor may be integrated in each conveyor section to trigger a reference position of the traveler as it moves onto the section.

Different variations on the design and operation of the traveler component, could serve to enhance system operation. For example, in certain embodiments the traveler may include its own drive system (e.g., wheels, tracks, rails, others) and/or sensors (e.g., cameras, line-following optics) that permit autonomous or semi-autonomous movement throughout the fulfillment center.

Certain embodiments may feature the addition of duplicate bag locking mechanisms. These could allow each traveler to carry multiple bags at once.

It is noted that a single traveler could fulfill a single order, multiple orders, or parts of separate orders, during various trips around the fulfillment center. This can lead to enhanced efficiency.

Certain embodiments may feature the addition of a tray-carrying attachment to the traveler. This would allow the traveler to bring trays to each carousel for loading. Such integration of tray loading and item dispensing with a common moveable structure (the traveler), would lead to substantially simplified operation.

Some embodiments could feature the addition of a high speed actuator capable of moving the load platform downward at high speed. Such near-matching the downward projectile velocity of a dropped item could desirably reduce impact forces on the item and upon the load platform.

Some specific details regarding design and operation of trays according to particular embodiments, are now provided. Trays may be fabricated utilizing an injection molding approach that ensures high strength.

According to certain embodiments, the entire tray may be created as a single, unitary injection-molded piece. FIG. 63A shows an end view of a tray that is configured to hold circular items.

Here, the largest outer diameter (OD) of a stored item, matches pitch. The smallest OD is determined by a center of a round cross-section not tipping past hump on the center beam of the tray.

The strength of the center beam is dependent upon height. This reduces packing density in the carousel. The base may be widened with ribs in order to resist side loads

FIG. 63B shows an end view of a tray configured to hold cuboid items. Boxes may also fix in the same rows and rounds. As width of stored items increases, items start to rest upon the lips of side walls. This serves to spread the load while keeping smaller boxes under belts. Conveyor belts of the dispensing station go up through same position, depending on tray type and item type (e.g., round vs cuboid). Belts are designed to ensure contact with the smallest allowable box item of a given tray type.

FIG. 64 shows a top view of a tray according to an embodiment. Bumps stop items from traveling past the curve of the belt. Holes molded in for indexing to the carousel and to the dispense station. Crossing webs to add additional support and torsional resistance Webs in outer beam, align with inner beam walls in order to reduce wall deformation.

Reliance upon a single, unitary tray design, can increase manufacturing cost. Moreover, the resulting fixed size of tray features (e.g., number of rows, width of rows, number and shape of separators) can limit flexibility and degrade efficiency.

Accordingly, alternative embodiments may feature a design that allows different tray types to be assembled from a plurality of injection molded parts. FIG. 65A shows a perspective view of one tray type, and FIG. 65B shows a perspective view of another tray type, that may be assembled from a plurality of parts.

The enlarged tray views of FIGS. 66A-B show 2 types of support beams. One type has mates on both sides. Center beams clip into the support beams. There are 4 types of center beams, with a center separation beam being of one type.

FIGS. 67A-B are enlarged views showing tray features formed from multiple molds. In particular, the view of FIG. 67A shows the support beam fitting over the side beam. Key features keep parts from turning at the bottom. The view of FIG. 67B shows a pin poking through 4 tabs, bending them back, and locking the pin vertically.

In some embodiments, trays having various different features may be assembled on demand. Equipment may be designed to accomplish this tray assembly process.

Specifically, item handling systems according to embodiments may utilize a fixed number (e.g. 10) of tray types. Each tray type may hold a certain size of item.

Individual trays may comprise a plurality of parts in the form of long, narrow, injection molded pieces that clip together to form a tray.

Following item inspection, the tray loading station needs to receive an appropriate tray type to load the inspected item into.

Rather than store stacks of trays of each type, a machine may access the individual pieces stored sorted according to type. Then, on demand, the machine may then assemble a tray of a certain size.

It is noted that the unassembled pieces have a higher storage density than the assembled tray. Thus, on-demand tray assembly can save valuable space within the fulfillment facility.

According to embodiments, the machine could also assemble on-the-fly, trays in configurations other than the limited number of standard types. This could be done by building rows with different spacings, as called for by the tray loading station.

Empty trays removed from the carousel could be returned to the machine. There, the empty trays are automatically broken back down into individual pieces for efficient storage.

Such approaches featuring on-demand tray assembly, may offer one or more benefits. As mentioned above, these approaches may save space on the line.

Also, on-demand tray assembly may allow for a larger variety of trays types, and may decrease the distance a tray has to travel to get to the tray loading station if the machine can be located closer (potential time reduction).

On-demand tray assembly may reduce the total number of tray piece parts required. This is because trays can be reconfigured as necessary, rather than wasting tray inventory space on tray types that aren't being utilized.

Returning now to discussion of general system operation, under some circumstances it may be desired to dispense an item that is not located at the end of a tray row (e.g., is stored in the middle of the tray). Accordingly, certain embodiments may utilize a gantry robot for dispensing purposes, as is shown in the simplified view of FIG. 68.

For example, when each item in a SKU has a different value, it may be desired to dispense from the center of a tray. Thus where the product is a steak, there may be 40 images of different cuts of steak that are available to show the customer for selection. By allowing a gantry to access center portions of the tray, all of the steak cuts can be available for dispensing.

Another possible circumstance that may be favorable to the use of a gantry robot, is where the items are not amenable to conveyor dispensing. This could be due, for example, to the items' size, shape, and weight. In such cases, a gantry robot may be a viable alternative.

Also, when items are small and thin (e.g., a gravy packet or beef jerky pouch), it would be advantageous to stack them vertically in one tray and then pick the top item from each tray. This increases density.

Finally, dispensing with a gantry robot could be useful when an item is rarely purchased. Under such circumstances, it is inefficient to carry an entire row of that SKU. The use of a gantry robot to pick from the center of a tray, allows placement of multiple SKUs in one row, and picking them out as needed.

It is further noted that a gantry robot could be employed in combination with a conveyor. Specifically, a gantry fixed at the end of conveyor belt(s) could catch the item and lower it into the bag. This could reduce damage to items.

Item handling systems according to embodiments, may not be limited to a single physical location. Items may be dispensed and delivered from multiple smaller sites that are located relatively close to one another (e.g., in different neighborhoods within a single large metropolitan area.

Under such conditions, an inventory management solution may feature one central store (the hub) and many satellite stores (the spokes). This approach could be implemented with tray packaging performed at the hub, and trays shipped to each spoke. Carrying racks could be designed to allow distribution vehicles to rapidly and easily perform loading, transport, and unloading.

In summary, FIG. 69 offers a simplified flow diagram of a process control according to an embodiment. This flow diagram illustrates the interaction between a central process and control system with various phases of order fulfillment on the front end, and inventory management on the back end.

A system according to various embodiments may include one or more features to enhance automated dispensing and delivery of handled items. For example, in order to replace pallet jacks, robotic pallet jacks can be utilized remove items from trucks that are delivering bulk goods for intake, inspection, sorting, and loading into carousels. Also, robotics systems that can raise and lower pallets and insert into shelving, may be relied upon to lift pallets onto shelves. Further, once a pallet is ready for inspection, automation equipment may move boxes from pallets, and move the box contents onto a conveyor.

Moreover, particular embodiments may automate order packing as follows. When a full traveler arrives, equipment would lift a bag out of the traveler and move it to a shipping area. Another piece of equipment could place a new bag into the traveler.

A robotic cart would be deployed to transport bags from the factory to the parking lot. The robotic cart would place bags into the mode of transportation for delivery.

A variety of delivery options are of course possible. Vehicles could be manually driven by humans, or self-driven. Alternatives can include delivery by bikes, carts, drones, or trucks plus drones.

It is noted that various embodiments may enhance a customer's experience by allowing flexibility and choice in selecting items. A customer may search for items on a website utilizing a search bar.

Under this approach, the user enters a product name, and in response is presented with a list of options. The customer selects an option, which is added to the customer's cart. While the search bar approach is fast for individual items, it can be laborious for a cart comprising multiple items. Also, the search bar approach requires a customer to know desired items in advance.

In contrast, with the search bar approach, an aisle-based approach involves a customer seeking a particular product item, to traverse a complex hierarchy. Thus, a customer seeking to purchase a red onion, may need to:

click fruits and vegetables

click vegetables, then

scroll to find red onions.

Such an aisle-based approach takes longer than searching if a customer knows ahead of time what is desired. But, the aisle approach affords the customer the ability to browse different options, and get inspiration for other products. However, aisle-based selection can be tedious due to the many possible available options to scroll through in each aisle.

Accordingly, particular embodiments may permit customer searching for items based upon categories. This approach can specifically lead customers to the particular items that they want to buy.

Under the category-based approach, a customer browses item categories, permitting visualization in a more useful manner. The categories would begin as general, and then narrow to become more specific.

For example, FIG. 70 shows a simplified view of categories for food items that are organized into a tree hierarchy. Once the category “Pizza” is selected by a customer, the website offers a variety of items for selection.

One possibility is to display for customer selection, standard pizza options (e.g., pizza crust, sauce, cheese). Meat Lovers will add sausage and salami (for example). Such category-based searching can depict ingredients going into making a pizza. So, this approach shows different types of pizza dough (frozen, refrigerated, different brands), the sauces (bottled, cans, brands), different vegetables, etc.

Then, the user could (de)select one or more suggested items, removing or changing the brand. Finally, the user could add to the cart all of the items selected by category, and move on to a different category.

Over time, an engine of the system could learn preferences of specific users/user groups, and suggest appropriate option the next time the pizza category is selected.

Embodiments may suggest ideas to a customer based upon machine learning. Embodiments could suggest specific items for purchase available in stock in large volumes.

Through the user of category-based searching, the consumer's experience is more rapid and intuitive. For example, in shopping for grocery items, customers traditionally think in terms of item groups of meals and categories, e.g.: “We need three dinners tonight, I need breakfast and lunch food for the week and I wanted to make that chocolate cake on Wednesday for Sue to take to school”.

Here, the user can go to each category and select out their dinners in a few action steps (e.g., clicks). Similarly, a customer can select a recipe for the cake and obtain all the ingredients at once, or they can click each ingredient from one basic list if they have a recipe.

In this manner, customers are free to select items in a more intuitive manner, mirroring how they think and in terms of groups of items. Thus instead of having to choose and select 30 separate items, they are selecting instead only 7:

3 dinners

2 lunch options

1 breakfast option

1 cake option.

Category-based selection can enhance the speed of purchase, moving customers through the site faster. Currently it can take around 60 min to fill a virtual shopping cart, a time comparable to (or even longer than) physically going to a grocery store. Improving the check out time is can aid in securing a steady on-line customer base.

Category-based item shopping can also enhance the flexibility of the seller. Grocery stores may seek to leverage relations between items by placing them in physical proximity (e.g., salsa next to chips, marinades by the meat counter). However, this is done in a crude, opportunistic manner, constrained by available physical space (it is unfeasible to position pizza sauce, veggies, pepperoni, and pizza dough, all in a same aisle).

By contrast, a website offers a virtually unlimited variety of ways to group related items to facilitate common purchase. Category-based selection leverages this inherent advantage of web-based shopping, to enhance the user's experience.

As described in detail above, embodiments of systems and methods for handling items may be particularly suited for implementation in conjunction with a host computer including a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. Such a processor and computer-readable storage medium may be embedded in the apparatus, and/or may be controlled or monitored through external input/output devices.

FIG. 71 is a simplified diagram of a computing device for processing information according to an embodiment. This diagram is merely an example, which should not limit the scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many other variations, modifications, and alternatives.

Embodiments according to the present invention can be implemented in a single application program such as a browser, or can be implemented as multiple programs in a distributed computing environment, such as a workstation, personal computer, mobile device or a remote terminal in a client server relationship.

FIG. 71 shows computer system 7110 including display device 7120, display screen 7130, cabinet 7140, keyboard 7150, and mouse 7170. Mouse 7170 and keyboard 7150 are representative “user input devices.” Mouse 7170 includes buttons 7180 for selection of buttons on a graphical user interface device. Other examples of user input devices are a touch screen, light pen, track ball, data glove, microphone, and so forth.

FIG. 71 is representative of but one type of system for implementing various embodiments. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many system types and configurations are suitable for use in conjunction with item handling.

According to one example, computer system 7110 includes a Pentium™ class based computer, running Windows™ XP™ or Windows 7™ operating system by Microsoft Corporation. However, the apparatus is easily adapted to other operating systems and architectures by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As noted, mouse 7170 can have one or more buttons such as buttons 7180. Cabinet 7140 houses familiar computer components such as disk drives, a processor, storage device, etc. Storage devices include, but are not limited to, disk drives, magnetic tape, solid-state memory, bubble memory, etc. Cabinet 7140 can include additional hardware such as input/output (I/O) interface cards for connecting computer system 7110 to external devices external storage, other computers or additional peripherals, further described below.

FIG. 71A is an illustration of basic subsystems in computer system 7110 of FIG. 71. This diagram is merely an illustration and should not limit the scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other variations, modifications, and alternatives.

In certain embodiments, the subsystems are interconnected via a system bus 7175. Additional subsystems such as a printer 7174, keyboard 7178, fixed disk 7179, monitor 7176, which is coupled to display adapter 7182, and others are shown. Peripherals and input/output (I/O) devices, which couple to I/O controller 7171, can be connected to the computer system by any number of approaches known in the art, such as serial port 7177. For example, serial port 7177 can be used to connect the computer system to a modem 7181, which in turn connects to a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, or a scanner. The interconnection via system bus allows central processor 7173 to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution of instructions from system memory 7172 or the fixed disk 7179, as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. Other arrangements of subsystems and interconnections are readily achievable by those of ordinary skill in the art. System memory, and the fixed disk are examples of tangible media for storage of computer programs, other types of tangible media include floppy disks, removable hard disks, optical storage media such as CD-ROMS and bar codes, and semiconductor memories such as flash memory, read-only-memories (ROM), and battery backed memory.

As previously mentioned, item handling systems according to embodiments are not limited to conveyor-type systems. Alternative embodiments could include a drive system for a traveler that is responsible for receiving items dispensed from a carousel, and even also responsible for moving trays having items disposed thereon, for loading into a carousel.

FIGS. 72A-B show views of different traveler embodiments featuring a drive system. Such a traveler may feature integration of a drive system, e.g., tracks (FIG. 72A), wheels (FIG. 72B), others, and sensors (e.g., cameras, line-following optics) in order to allow the traveler to move itself around the fulfillment center.

Moreover, certain embodiments of travelers may feature multiple bags added to a single drive unit, e.g., track (FIG. 73A), wheels (FIG. 73B). Such embodiments may feature duplicate bag locking mechanisms so that each traveler can carry multiple bags at once. In this manner, a single traveler can fulfill more of a single order, or parts of separate orders, during trips around the fulfillment center for improved efficiency.

It is further noted that a traveler may be equipped to include a tray carrying capability. The addition of such a tray-carrying attachment may allow the traveler to bring trays to each carousel. FIGS. 74A-B show embodiments of tracked and wheeled travelers, respectively, carrying a tray.

It is noted that a traveler need not be equipped to carry a bag for receiving dispensed items. According to some embodiments, a traveler could be designed to carry tray(s) only. FIGS. 75A-C show front, front perspective, and side perspective views respectively, of such a (wheeled) tray traveler robot.

Under certain implementations, there could be two robot types on the floor of the fulfillment center. One robot type carries customer bags between carousels, filing them with dispensed items as they go. The other robot type carries multiple (e.g., ˜5-15 full trays), loading them into carousels as they go. The robots could be environmentally controlled to ensure the condition chain is maintained.

Clause 1D. An apparatus comprising:

-   a first carousel storing a first product under a first set of     environmental conditions, the first product corresponding to a first     Stock Keeping Unit (SKU); -   a second carousel storing a second product under a second set of     environmental conditions different from the first set of     environmental conditions, the second product corresponding to a     second SKU different from the first SKU; and -   packaging disposed on a traveler that is moveable to, -   a first station proximate to the first carousel to receive the first     product dispensed in a first direction into the packaging, and then -   a second station proximate to the second carousel to receive the     second product dispensed in the first direction into the packaging,     and then -   a shipping station proximate to a vehicle for receiving the     packaging.

Clause 2D. An apparatus as in Clause 1D further comprising a first tray configured to support the first product and a third product in the first carousel, the third product corresponding to a third SKU different from the first SKU and the second SKU.

Clause 3D. An apparatus as in Clause 2D wherein:

-   the first tray is configured to support the first product in a first     row; and -   the apparatus further comprises a second tray moveable within the     first carousel in a second direction proximate to the first     dispensing station.

Clause 4D. An apparatus as in Clause 3D wherein the first direction is substantially orthogonal to the second direction.

Clause 5D. An apparatus as in Clause 4D wherein the first direction is horizontal.

Clause 6D. An apparatus as in Clause 5D wherein the second direction is vertical.

Clause 7D. An apparatus as in Clause 2D wherein the first item is dispensed to the packaging from the first tray located within the first carousel.

Clause 8D. An apparatus as in Clause 2D wherein the first item is dispensed to the packaging from the first tray moved outside the first carousel.

Clause 9D. An apparatus as in Clause 2D wherein the first tray defines an opening receiving a moveable member to contact the first product.

Clause 10D. An apparatus as in Clause 9D wherein the moveable member comprises a belt configured to move in the first direction.

Clause 11D. An apparatus as in Clause 10D wherein:

-   the first direction is horizontal; and -   the first tray is configured to move vertically for the belt to     project within the opening and contact the first product.

Clause 12D. An apparatus as in Clause 10D wherein:

-   the first direction is horizontal; and -   the belt is configured to move vertically to project within the     opening and contact the first product.

Clause 13D. An apparatus as in Clause 2D wherein:

-   the first direction is horizontal; and -   the first tray is configured to drop the first product in a vertical     direction off a tray end into the packaging.

Clause 14D. An apparatus as in Clause 13D further comprising a flexible member configured to cushion the first product falling into the packaging.

Clause 15D. An apparatus as in Clause 14D wherein the cushion is disposed within the packaging.

Clause 16D. An apparatus as in Clause 2D wherein the tray comprises a plurality of injection molded parts assembled based upon dimensions of the first product.

Clause 17D. An apparatus as in Clause 1D wherein the traveler includes a weight sensor.

Clause 18D. An apparatus as in Clause 1D wherein:

-   the first set of environmental conditions comprises a first     condition selected from, -   a first temperature, -   a first humidity, -   a first light level, -   a first gas ambient, -   a first mold spore level, or -   a first ethylene level; and -   the second set of environmental conditions comprises a second     condition different from the first condition and selected from, -   a second temperature, -   a second humidity, -   a second light level, -   a second gas ambient, -   a second mold spore level, or -   a second ethylene level.

Clause 19D. An apparatus as in Clause 18D wherein the second carousel is configured to receive from the carousel, the first tray supporting the first product.

Clause 20D. An apparatus as in Clause 18D wherein:

-   the first set of environmental conditions is configured to prolong a     shelf life of the first product; and -   the second set of environmental conditions is configured to     accelerate a ripening of the first product.

Clause 1E. An apparatus comprising:

-   a first carousel storing under a first set of environmental     conditions, a first product supported on a first tray; -   a second carousel storing under a second set of environmental     conditions different from the first set of environmental conditions,     a second product supported on a second tray; and -   a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in communication     with the first carousel and with the second carousel to record data     comprising, -   a first identifier of the first product, -   a first location of the first product, -   a second identifier of the second product, and -   a second location of the second product.

Clause 2E. An apparatus as in Clause 1E wherein the first location comprises:

-   a third identifier of the first carousel; -   a fourth identifier of the first tray; and -   a fifth identifier of a position of the first product within the     first tray.

Clause 3E. An apparatus as in Clause 1E wherein the data further comprises status information of the first product.

Clause 4E. An apparatus as in Clause 3E wherein the status information comprises:

-   a weight of the first product; -   a visual inspection result of the first product; -   a non-visual inspection result of the first product; -   an image of the first product; -   a harvest date of the first product; -   a shipping date of the first product; -   a receipt date of the first product; -   an expiration date of the first product; -   a quality of the first product; -   a name of the first product; -   a brand of the first product; -   a supplier of the first product; -   a history of environmental storage conditions of the first product; -   a moisture content of the first product; -   a variety of the first product; -   a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) of the first product; -   a regulatory classification of the first product; -   a recipe including the first product; -   dynamic pricing data; or -   feedback data.

Clause 5E. An apparatus as in Clause 3E further comprising an engine configured to:

-   receive a first input specifying a particular SKU; -   match the particular SKU with the first product; and -   provide at least a portion of the status information regarding the     first product to a customer.

Clause 6E. An apparatus as in Clause 5E wherein the portion of the status information comprises an image of the first product.

Clause 7E. An apparatus as in Clause 5E wherein the portion of the status information comprises a quality of the first product.

Clause 8E. An apparatus as in Clause 5E wherein the engine is further configured to:

-   receive a second input selecting the first product; and -   instruct the first carousel to dispense the first product into     packaging.

Clause 9E. An apparatus as in Clause 8E wherein the engine is further configured to:

-   receive a third input selecting the second product; and -   instruct the second carousel to dispense the second product into the     packaging.

Clause 10E. An apparatus as in Clause 9E wherein the engine is configured to instruct the second carousel to dispense the second product into the packaging before the first product, based upon a path between the first carousel, the second carousel, and a shipping station.

-   Clause 11E. An apparatus as in Clause 9E wherein the engine is     configured to instruct the second carousel to dispense the second     product into the packaging before the first product, based upon a     consideration comprising a weight, a size, or a fragility of the     first product relative to the second product.

Clause 12E. An apparatus as in Clause 8E wherein the packaging comprises a bag.

Clause 13E. An apparatus as in Clause 8E wherein the packaging is disposed on a traveler moveable between the first carousel and the second carousel.

Clause 14E. An apparatus as in Clause 13E wherein the traveler is configured to move on a conveyor.

Clause 15E. An apparatus as in Clause 13E wherein the traveler is configured to move on a rail.

Clause 16E. An apparatus as in Clause 13E wherein the traveler is configured to carry the first tray.

Clause 17E. An apparatus as in Clause 13E wherein the traveler comprises wheels.

Clause 18E. An apparatus as in Clause 17E wherein the traveler is capable of semi-autonomous movement.

Clause 19E. An apparatus as in Clause 8E wherein the engine is further configured to instruct inspection of the first product prior to dispensing into the packaging.

Clause 20E. An apparatus as in Clause 1E wherein the first tray comprises a plurality of injection molded parts assembled based upon dimensions of the first product.

Clause 1F. A method comprising:

-   receiving a first product; -   performing a first inspection of the first product; -   an engine determining from the first inspection, a quality of the     first product; -   the engine recording in a non-transitory computer readable storage     medium, the quality related to an identifier of the first product; -   based upon the quality, sorting the first product into a first tray     stored in a first carousel under a first set of environmental     conditions; -   the engine recording in the non-transitory computer-readable storage     medium, a location of the first item related to the identifier and     the quality; and -   in response to a first input, the engine offering the first item for     a customer selection including display of the quality.

Clause 2F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the quality comprises an image of the first product.

-   Clause 3F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the quality is     determined from a physical appearance of the first product.

Clause 4F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the quality is determined from a taste of the first product.

Clause 5F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the quality is determined from a ripeness of the first product.

Clause 6F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the quality is determined from a nutritional value of the first product.

Clause 7F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the quality is determined from a physical makeup of the first product.

Clause 8F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the quality is determined from a lifetime of the first product.

Clause 9F. A method as in Clause 8F wherein the engine is further configured to predict the lifetime utilizing a model.

Clause 10F. A method as in Clause 9F wherein the model considers one of more conditions of the first set of environmental conditions.

Clause 11F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the first inspection comprises an optical inspection.

Clause 12F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the first inspection comprises spectroscopy.

Clause 13F. A method as in Clause 1F further comprising:

-   the engine determining a price for the first product based upon the     quality; and -   the engine displaying the price with the quality.

Clause 14F. A method as in Clause 1F wherein the first input comprises a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) of the first product.

Clause 15F. A method as in Clause 1F further comprising:

-   based on the quality, the engine instructing transfer of the first     product to a second carousel under a second set of environmental     conditions different from the first set of environmental conditions.

Clause 16F. A method as in Clause 15F wherein:

-   the first set of environmental conditions is configured to prolong a     shelf life of the first product; and -   the second set of environmental conditions is configured to     accelerate a ripening of the first product.

Clause 17F. A method as in Clause 1F further comprising:

-   in response to a second input comprising the customer selection, the     engine instructing dispensing of the first product into packaging.

Clause 18F. A method as in Clause 17F further comprising:

-   the engine instructing movement of the traveler and the packaging to     a shipping station.

Clause 19F. A method as in Clause 17F further comprising:

-   the engine instructing movement of the traveler to receive a second     product dispensed from a second carousel under second environmental     conditions different from the first environmental conditions.

Clause 20F. A method as in Clause 1F further comprising:

-   the engine instructing assembly of the first tray from a plurality     of injection molded parts based upon dimensions of the first     product.

Clause 1G. A method comprising:

-   an engine referencing data in a database to display a plurality of     related products, the data comprising a product identifier and a     product quality; -   the engine receiving from a customer a single selection of a     category of the related products; -   in response to the single selection, the engine instructing a system     to dispense a subset of the related products matching the category.

Clause 2G. A method as in Clause 1G wherein the plurality of related products comprise ingredients of a meal recipe.

Clause 3G. A method as in Clause 2G wherein the category comprises a meal type.

Clause 4G. A method as in Clause 3G wherein meal type comprises breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert.

Clause 5G. A method as in Clause 1G further comprising:

-   the engine instructing the system to dispense the subset further     based upon a second input removing certain products from the entire     set of related products.

Clause 6G. A method as in Clause 1G further comprising:

-   the engine receiving a second input specifying a substitute product;     and -   the engine instructing the system to dispense the substitute product     in place of one of the products of the subset.

Clause 7G. A method as in Clause 1G wherein the plurality of related products are based upon a purchase history of the customer stored in the database.

Clause 8G. A method as in Clause 1G wherein the plurality of related products are based upon a preference of the customer stored in the database.

Clause 9G. A method as in Clause 1G wherein the plurality of related products are based upon a budget of the customer stored in the database.

Clause 10G. A method as in Clause 1G wherein the plurality of related products are based upon an existing inventory of the customer stored in the database.

Clause 11G. A method as in Clause 1G further comprising:

-   sorting a plurality of related products based upon a quality     assigned according to an initial inspection; and -   loading the plurality of related products into respective trays     based upon the sorting.

Clause 12G. A method as in Clause 11G further comprising:

-   the engine instructing assembly of the plurality of trays from     injection molded parts based upon dimensions of the plurality of     related products.

Clause 13G. A method as in Clause 11G wherein the initial inspection comprises an optical inspection.

Clause 14G. A method as in Clause 13G wherein the optical inspection comprises a visual inspection.

Clause 15G. A method as in Clause 11G wherein the initial inspection comprises spectroscopy.

Clause 16G. A method as in Clause 11G further comprising:

-   the engine instructing storage of the respective trays under     controlled environmental conditions based upon the inspection.

Clause 17G. A method as in Clause 11G further comprising:

-   the engine instructing a subsequent inspection prior to dispensing     the plurality of related products.

Clause 18G. A method as in Clause 17G where the subsequent inspection is of a same type as the initial inspection.

Clause 19G. A method as in Clause 17G where the subsequent inspection is of a type other than the initial inspection.

Clause 20G. A method as in Clause 20G wherein the initial inspection comprises an optical inspection.

Clause 1H. An apparatus comprising:

-   a plurality of unique individual product items stored upon trays     within a plurality of carousels under different environmental     conditions; -   a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to     record at least a location and a status of each unique individual     product item; -   a graphic user interface (GUI) configured to offer a customer     selection between a first unique individual product item and a     second unique individual product item; and -   an engine in communication with the GUI and the non-transitory     computer-readable storage medium, the engine configured to instruct     dispensing of the first unique individual product item from a first     carousel into a packaging in response to the customer selection.

Clause 2H. An apparatus as in Clause 1H wherein the first unique individual product item and the second unique individual product item differ from each other based upon an attribute.

Clause 3H. An apparatus as in Clause 2H wherein the attribute is stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium associated with the location and the status.

Clause 4H. An apparatus as in Clause 2H wherein the attribute is based upon a first inspection performed prior to the dispensing.

Clause 5H. An apparatus as in Clause 4H wherein the first inspection is performed prior to loading the first unique individual product item into the first carousel.

Clause 6H. An apparatus as in Clause 5H wherein the first inspection is performed with the first product item disposed on a tray.

Clause 7H. An apparatus as in Clause 5H wherein the first inspection is performed prior to the first product item being disposed on a tray.

Clause 8H. An apparatus as in Clause 7H further comprising an apparatus configured to assemble the tray from a plurality of injection molded pieces upon receipt of an instruction from the engine.

Clause 9H. An apparatus as in Clause 4H wherein the first inspection comprises rotating the first unique product item to obtain multiple views.

Clause 10H. An apparatus as in Clause 9H further comprising a conveyor configured to handle the first unique individual product item during the first inspection.

Clause 11H. An apparatus as in Clause 10H wherein the rotating is orthogonal to a direction of travel along the conveyor.

Clause 12H. An apparatus as in Clause 10H wherein the conveyor comprises a pivoting belt conveyor.

Clause 13H. An apparatus as in Clause 10H wherein the conveyor comprises a star wheel.

Clause 14H. An apparatus as in Clause 10H wherein the conveyor comprises a roller.

Clause 15H. An apparatus as in Clause 14H wherein the conveyor comprises a spinner and roller conveyor.

Clause 16H. An apparatus as in Clause 10H wherein the conveyor comprises a pop up conveyor.

Clause 17H. An apparatus as in Clause 4H further comprising a gantry to perform the rotating.

Clause 18H. An apparatus as in Clause 4H further comprising a camera to perform the first inspection.

Clause 19H. An apparatus as in Clause 2H wherein the attribute is further based upon a second inspection performed during the dispensing.

Clause 20H. An apparatus as in Clause 2H wherein the attribute comprises a current quality, a projected future quality, or a ripeness.

Clause 1I. An apparatus comprising:

-   a plurality of unique individual product items stored within a     plurality of carousels under different environmental conditions; -   a non-transitory computer readable storage medium recording, -   an inspection result of each of the plurality of unique individual     product items, and -   a location of each of the plurality of unique individual product     items; -   a processing engine in communication with the plurality of carousels     and with the non-transitory computer readable storage medium; and -   a plurality of stations associated respectively with the plurality     of carousels and configured to dispense unique product items into     packaging upon receipt of an instruction from the processing engine.

Clause 2I. An apparatus as in Clause 1I wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further records a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) related to the inspection result and the location.

Clause 3I. An apparatus as in Clause 1I wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium further records a product item quality related to the location and generated from the inspection result by the processing engine.

-   Clause 3I. An apparatus as in Clause 1I wherein the inspection     result comprises an image. -   Clause 4I. An apparatus as in Clause 3I wherein the image comprise     visible wavelengths. -   Clause 5I. An apparatus as in Clause 3I wherein the image comprises     other than visible wavelengths. -   Clause 6I. An apparatus as in Clause 1I wherein the inspection     result comprises a spectrograph.

Clause 7I. An apparatus as in Clause 1I wherein the inspection result comprises chemical sensing.

Clause 8I. An apparatus as in Clause 7I wherein the chemical sensing detects spoilage.

Clause 9I. An apparatus as in Clause 7I wherein the chemical sensing detects a mold spore.

Clause 10I. An apparatus as in Clause 1I wherein sorting the plurality unique individual product items into the plurality of carousels is based upon the inspection result.

Clause 11I. An apparatus as in Clause 1I further comprising a mechanism configured to handle the plurality of unique individual product items during inspection for disposing on a tray.

Clause 12I. An apparatus as in Clause 11I wherein the inspection comprises rotating a unique product item to obtain multiple views.

Clause 13I. An apparatus as in Clause 12I wherein the mechanism comprises a conveyor.

Clause 14I. An apparatus as in Clause 13I wherein the rotating is orthogonal to a direction of travel along the conveyor.

Clause 15I. An apparatus as in Clause 13I wherein the conveyor comprises a pivoting belt conveyor.

Clause 16I. An apparatus as in Clause 13I wherein the conveyor comprises a star wheel.

Clause 17I. An apparatus as in Clause 13I wherein the conveyor comprises a roller.

Clause 18I. An apparatus as in Clause 13I wherein the conveyor comprises a spinner and roller conveyor.

Clause 19I. An apparatus as in Clause 13I wherein the conveyor comprises a pop up conveyor.

Clause 20I. An apparatus as in Clause 12I wherein the mechanism further comprises a gantry to perform the rotating.

FIG. 76 offers a simplified block diagram showing an overview of a system according to an embodiment. Specifically, system 7600 comprises a platform 7602 including a processing engine 7604 and a graphic user interface 7606 in communication with a customer 7608.

The platform is in communication with a facility 7610 via a communications network 7611. In particular, the engine is configured to provide instructions 7612 to cause the facility to intake 7614 a plurality product items in bulk form, to perform an inspection 7616 (e.g., utilizing camera 7617) of those bulk items, and to sort 7618 those bulk items on the basis of the inspection.

Further on the basis of the inspection, the platform is further configured to instruct an apparatus 7620 to assemble trays 7622 from individual parts 7624 (e.g., injection molded pieces). The trays then receive the sorted product items, and are in turn loaded 7626 into carousels 7628. As has been described extensively above, those carousels are maintained under particular set(s) of environmental condition(s).

The platform is further in communication with non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 7630 having data stored thereon. For example, database 7632 may comprise data regarding various aspects of the system and the products stored therein.

Data stored in the database may be referenced by the platform to fulfill 7633 a customer order. In particular, the customer may issue to the platform, a request 7640 specifying a particular item type 7642 (e.g., a specific apple varietal such as golden delicious). The platform may receive the request, and reference that item according to a table storing SKU information.

Then, with reference to data in the database, the platform may return to display to the customer in the GUI, data regarding a plurality of unique individual product items 7644, 7646, and 7648 matching the request. The data may comprise specific information 7650 regarding those individual product items, including but not limited to an image, a lifetime, and others.

Then, the GUI is configured to receive a user selection 7652 of one of the particular product items. In response, the engine is configured to instruct a dispensing station 7653 of the facility to dispense that unique individual item from the tray and carousel, into packaging 7654 supported in a moveable traveler 7656.

While the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 76 depicts the routing of product items directly from the dispensed carousel to a shipping station for delivery, this is not required. Alternative embodiments could employ an intermediate carrier shuttle structure. There, items are dispensed to the intermediate carrier shuttle, that is in turn brought to a different location for consolidation of product items into packaging.

In some embodiments, it is noted that the processing engine may communicate to the facility, an instruction to transfer 7657 a product item from one storage carousel to another. Such a transfer instruction can be based upon considerations such as an expected ripeness of the product item, a storage capacity of a particular carousel, and an expected future order of a product item (e.g., as may be predicted by machine learning). This transfer can be accomplished utilizing a traveler (as shown), or alternatively utilizing a different system component.

According to certain embodiments, the product dispensing and/or transfer may be accompanied by an inspection 7680 (e.g., as performed by a camera 7682). This dispensing/transfer inspection may be the same, or may be different, from the original inspection forming the basis for the initial sorting.

Finally, once all of the selected customer items have been collected in the packaging, the engine is configured to instruct the traveler to move along path 7658 to shipping station 7660. There, the packaging is offered for delivery 7662 to the customer.

According to certain embodiments, this delivery may comprise the customer receiving the product items in the packaging as conveyed via a vehicle (e.g., drone, truck, car, bicycle). According to alternative embodiments, however, delivery could not feature an automated drop, but rather pickup by a human customer. Such manual delivery options could utilize visual cues such as indicator lights or screen cartoons.

It is noted that the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of FIG. 1 further comprises a knowledge base 7634. The data of that knowledge base may be referenced by the engine in performing machine learning processes 7690, as has been mentioned previously. Those learned characteristics may be utilized to enhance efficiency of system operation and the quality of the customer experience interacting with the system.

For example, according to some embodiments a customer may be able to provide feedback about specific items. That feedback can be used to better predict preferences and other quality attributes.

Furthermore, information regarding item availability able to be combined with expected demand and expected inventory replenishment, could be utilized to incentivize specific consumption trends. This can be accomplished by, amongst other techniques, placement in web browsers, relative pricing, promotions, and suggestions of recipes that include such items or otherwise.

FIGS. 77A-C show front, top, and perspective various views of one embodiment of a design 7700 for an inspection station. Here, the product items 7702 enter on the left, move along the conveyor 7703 to the center.

The item gets lifted by the rollers, the rollers spin and cameras take pictures from above. FIG. 77D shows a perspective view with the rollers 7704 raised.

The items is dropped back onto the conveyors and the items advances forward with its classification. FIG. 77E shows a perspective with the rollers lowered.

FIG. 78A shows a perspective view of an alternative carrier design. According to this embodiment, the carrier 7800 features plastic walls 7802 to hold the tray flange in space.

To locate the tray, a click in place feature was added to the carrier and tray. Specifically, when the tray is inserted, it moves past four clasps 7804 (two on each side of the tray) that are shown in the wall edge view of FIG. 78B, and the enlarged view of FIG. 78C. These clasps bend back during installation and then lock the tray in place once installed. This keeps the tray centered in the carrier and it keeps it from sliding out or shifting while the carousel rotates.

The carrier embodiment shown may offer benefits by avoiding the consumption of space otherwise needed to fit the forks into the carrier to remove the tray. Now, without that consumed space, the tabs can be smaller.

Also, because the dispensing tool does not need to fit into the carrier, a higher number of slots can be designed for trays. In this particular embodiment, 2× the number of slots have been added. This affords flexibility when inserting trays into the carrier, to achieve maximum density.

According to some embodiments, an interior of a carousel may be lined with foam panels. These foam panels attached to the walls with a hooking bracket, illustrated in perspective and side views in FIGS. 79A-B.

Here, the hooking bracket 7900 has teeth 7902 that sink into the foam of the panels. The bracket may or may not be glued on, too. Also, the bracket may be covered with some of the same coating that the foam is covered in. The bracket may or may not be inset into a pocket in the foam.

The frame of the carousel could have a projecting stud 7904 with which the bracket could mate. So, to install the panel, the foam gets lifted so the stud goes through the large holes. Then the panel is lowered down and two or more brackets get secured to the studs as they slide into the key hole shape.

FIGS. 80A-B show various views of an embodiment of a dispensing approach. This embodiment 8000 features hooks 8002 that engage the tray 8004 from the front of the carrier.

Such an approach may offer certain benefits. For example, it avoids tolerance considerations attributable to the carrier tilting back forward. There will be a tolerance in the location of each carrier relative to each other.

With this design, the hook fits into a large area and has a big tolerance itself. Now, the position can be off by >5 mm and still engage correctly. This increases tool robustness, and may reduce the cycle time of the dispensing process because less precision is needed.

FIGS. 81A-C show perspective, side, and top views respectively, of an embodiment of a dispensing approach 8100. Here, the vertical lift design is incorporated into the pop-through conveyors. In place of splines, motor(s) 8102 were put onto each pop through conveyor. This offers potential savings in cost and complexity, in that stepper motors are cheaper than a single servo plus all the splines and pulleys required to drive them.

This embodiment also features a left-to-right belt drive design 8104 that has a fixed timing belt 8106 and pulleys 8108 that move through it. Again, this reduces cost and complexity, disposing the motors onto the pop through conveyor and making the tool easier to manage.

FIG. 82 shows a side view illustrating an embodiment of a dispensing approach. Here, product items are moved out from the dispensing tool onto a flat table or a set of conveyors that are built into a surface of the traveler platform 8200. The traveler than moves to the shipping area and an order is consolidated.

This approach allows larger-sized items to be stored and dispensed. Such items may not normally fit into a bag, but this design saves the manual effort of walking down an aisle and picking them from a shelf.

FIG. 83 shows a top view illustrating an embodiment of a dispensing approach. Here, product items are moved out of the dispensing tool. But, instead of the customer bag, the product item drops into a cushioned pocket 8300 that protects the item. The traveler might have multiple buckets that items can be dropped into. These items are then moved to the shipping area and consolidated with the larger order.

This could be used when items are too fragile to be dropped onto other, harder items in a bag. A peach, for example, might get damaged falling onto a box corner or the stem of a butternut squash. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for automatically dispensing one or more items, comprising: (a) providing (i) a tray comprising a plurality of slots and (ii) said one or more items on said tray, wherein said one or more items are aligned with at least one slot of said plurality of slots; (b) automatically moving a conveyance unit in a horizontal direction below said tray to selectively align said conveyance unit with a target slot from among said plurality of slots, wherein said one or more items rest on said conveyance unit when said conveyance unit or said tray is moved in a vertical direction relative to each other while said conveyance unit is aligned with said target slot; (c) moving said conveyance unit horizontally above said tray to or towards a packaging unit disposed in proximity to said tray; and (d) extending a movable portion of said conveyance unit such that said movable portion extends horizontally and partially beyond said target slot to dispense at least one item of said one or more items from said conveyance unit into or onto said packaging unit.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) further comprises moving said conveyance unit through said target slot to lift said one or more items along a direction away from said tray, such that said conveyance unit supports said one or more items.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein in (b) said conveyance unit moves through said target slot in a first direction, and wherein in (c) said conveyance unit extends in a second direction that is different from said first direction.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said first direction is substantially vertical with respect to a plane of said tray, and wherein said second direction is substantially horizontal with respect to said plane.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein in (d) said movable portion is extended beyond a distal edge of said tray, wherein said distal edge is located proximal to said packaging unit.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said tray comprises a groove, wherein prior to (b) said groove supports said one or more items, and wherein in (c) said one or more items are not in contact with said groove.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said tray comprises a plurality of grooves comprising said groove, wherein an additional groove of said plurality of grooves is configured to support one or more other items, and wherein said groove and said additional groove are disposed at different locations of said tray.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein in (c) said one or more other items are stationary and supported on said additional groove while said conveyance unit is extended to or towards said packaging unit.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises providing one or more other items above said tray, wherein the method further comprises using an additional conveyance unit to transport said one or more other items towards said packaging unit.
 10. The method of claim 2, wherein said conveyance unit comprises a conveyor comprising one or more rails, and wherein in (b) said one or more items are supported by said one or more rails moving through said target slot.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein in (d) said at least one item is dispensed into said packaging unit (i) under an influence of gravitational force, (ii) in absence of manual placement of said at least one item, or (iii) in absence of lifting, picking, grabbing, or grasping said at least one item from above said tray.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein in (b) said conveyance unit moves along a first axis or plane below said tray, and wherein in (c) said conveyance unit moves along a second axis or plane above said tray.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to (b), automatically moving said tray or said conveyance unit, such that said tray is disposed adjacent to said conveyance unit.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said tray or said conveyance unit is automatically moved such that said tray is disposed directly above or aligned with said conveyance unit.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more items comprise one or more food items, and wherein in (d) said at least one item is from said one or more food items.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one item is dispensed into said packaging unit based at least in part on one or more characteristics of said at least one item, wherein said one or more characteristics comprise a type, size, shape, or weight of said at least one item.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more items comprise a plurality of items, and wherein prior to (d), a quantity of said plurality of items to be dispensed into said packaging unit is determined.
 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying that said at least one item is properly dispensed into said packaging unit.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically updating (i) an item inventory after said at least one item is dispensed into said packaging unit or (ii) an availability of at least one location on said tray after said at least one item is dispensed into said packaging unit.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein said horizontal direction in (b) is along one or more axes or planes below said tray.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein said conveyance unit (i) moves in a first direction to lift said one or more items away from said tray, and (ii) moves in a second direction to transport said one or more items towards said packaging unit, which second direction is different than said first direction.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more items comprise a plurality of items, and wherein prior to (d), a sequence of dispensing said plurality of items into said packaging unit is determined.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more items comprise a plurality of items, and wherein prior to (d), a plurality of locations in which said plurality of items are to be dispensed into said packaging unit is determined.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one item is dispensed into said packaging unit when said at least one item is dropped from said conveyance unit into said packaging unit.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) further comprises tracking a movement of said one or more items as said conveyance unit extends to or towards said packaging unit.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more items comprise a plurality of items, and wherein in (d), an interior volume of said packaging unit is adjusted to accommodate said plurality of items as said plurality of items are sequentially dispensed into said packaging unit.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said interior volume of said packaging unit is adjusted by changing one or more dimensions of said packaging unit.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein said packaging unit comprises an extendible material or structure that permits said interior volume of said packaging unit to be adjusted.
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein said movable portion of said conveyance unit comprises a conveyor belt. 